Hwa Jung, the Princess of Light

In the chaotic Joseon period, a great historical drama occurs in the political world portraying various people with the desire and jealousy for power. The story unfolds of the turbulent Joseon dynasty in the seventeenth century.

As King Seonjo’s condition became critical, he passes away. The royal court debates on whether Gwanghae can take over the empty throne. Meanwhile, Imhae covets the throne, saying he is the eldest son of the king.

The king's mind seems to be going towards a dangerous place.

There is uncertainty if this wedding will properly take place.

You promised to protect that.

Kim Gae Si believes Princess Jeongmyeong is a threat to Gwanghae and suggests getting rid of her. Prince Yeongchang’s life also becomes difficult to ignore.

Whether to gain all or lose all, that is power.

Now let's have someone who's good at it try it this time.

As Jeongmyeong is looking to return to Joseon, she helps Ju Won to meet Idachi. At Edo, smuggling sulfur is a crime punishable by death if caught. The two try to make the smuggling deal as secretive as possible.

Ju Won learns that Gwanghae used him as bait, but before returning to Joseon, he takes a risk in trying to find Hwa Yi and the sulfur. Meanwhile, Gwanghae checks as to who is against the development of the black powder.

You mean you're a woman?

There is no doubt! He's the one I saw in Nagasaki!

The officials accuse Gwanghae of being behind everything and Gwanghae declares he will not rescue Ju Won. Jeongmyeong tries hard to resolve the misunderstanding and save Ju Won.

To protect the armory, Ju Won says to kill him and Gwanghae accuses him of treason. To protect Ju Won, Jeongmyeong reveals to Gwanghae that he knows who she is.

Ju Seon and Heo Gyun try to find Gwanghae’s weakness, Queen Inmok begins to question again whether Jeongmyeong is dead or alive. Meanwhile, Gwanghae begins to move towards becoming victorious in the fight, despite whatever the cost may be.

I also want to bring down the king.

Heo Gyun gets Queen Inmok caught up in a treason plot and suggests to Ju Seon to convince the court officials to get Gwanghae to sentence the queen to death.

Hwa Yi goes to meet Gwanghae in order to save Inmok from danger and reveals to him that she is Jeongmyeong and wanted to pay him back for what he did. Meanwhile, Heo Gyun asks for the king’s throne to be strong and sentence the queen to death.

Ju Won takes a sword wound from an assassin for Jeongmyeong and collapses. To learn who was behind the assassin, Jeongmyeong works with Gwanghae. Heo Gyun senses danger as Gwanghae is tightening towards him.

I said the princess is alive.

Ju Won catches the man who tried to put Jeongmyeong in danger and tries to figure out what he was trying to do. Jeongmyeong meets Gwanghae and asks why he wanted her killed. In Woo volunteers to escort Jeongmyeong along the way.

Do you insist on dispatching soldiers against the king's orders?

Gwanghae tells Neungyang that he got what he wanted and the people begin to request for men to be dispatched. Meanwhile, Jeongmyeong says she will also take the responsibility.

Lord Hong, will you be able to protect her?

Now I, Neungyang, will become the owner of that palace.

The Ming escape from war, Ju Won secures an escape route for the armory but is unable to get out. In Woo confesses to Jeongmyeong that he thought if Ju Won was not there, then it would be a chance for him.

Defeated from the war, the people of the city gather in a horde to destroy the armory and the servants pressure them to kill all the high officials. Kim Ja Jeom meets with Neungyang and begins to reveal his inner thoughts.

Do you want to follow me and rebuild the court?

Ja Jeom tells Inmok that he has Jeongmyeong with him and requests to follow along with him. Both Ju Won and In Woo go looking for Jeongmyeong.

Anti-government groups have conquered all the way to Daejeon and tries to capture Gwanghae, calling him Jeongmyeong tells Queen Inmok not to acknowledge Neungyang but it’s too late.

An order to take down the armory’s sign has been given, putting the armory in a crisis. Meanwhile, Jeongmyeong tells Injo plainly to look after the people and Injo is unable to contain his anger.

Following the law, Jeongmyeong punishes Yeo Jeong and the people around Jeongmyeong worry about her actions, including Queen Inmok. Neungyang’s anger towards Jeongmyeong reaches an extreme, which ultimately affects even Eun Seol.

Eun Seol’s interrogation has started and Yeo Jeong pressures Jeongmyeong. In Woo tells Ju Won to try to convince Jeongmyeong.

To save Eun Seol and Ok Ju, Jeongmyeong confesses to the cursing incident to which Neungyang smiles upon. Neungyang pushes Jeongmyeong to where he hears her finally apologize. Meanwhile, Ju Won pleads with In Woo to arrest him.

Jeongmyeong and Ju Won both agree to marriage and their seniors are shaken by the news. Queen Inmok believes Yeo Jeong will never sincerely apologize, which angers her. Meanwhile, the guards and Ju Won discover a messenger running with a red flag.

The rebel army reach all the way to the capital, putting Injo and the ministers in danger. Ja Jeom tells Injo he is willing to be loyal until he dies, which convinces Injo.

Eventually, the capital is taken over by the rebel army. Yi Gwal, the leader of the rebels, meets with Jeongmyeong to try to negotiate while Ju Won and the armory people’s lives are in danger.

Is it okay to hand over Joseon to the Jin in the future?

Stop the illegal repatriation of the nobles.

In the end, the crown prince went and took action.

Yeo Jeong, what did you do with that convincing tongue of yours?

As the Qing army marches forward, the Joseon army gets pushed back. Injo and Crown Prince Sohyeon are in danger of being isolated in Fort Namhan. Ju Seon goes to meet Injo with a message from the Qing emperor.

The people are happy to hear the news that Crown Prince Sohyeon is returning from Qing to Joseon. Meanwhile, Yeo Jeong is feeling nervous that with Injo being in serious condition that Crown Prince Sohyeon will inherit the throne.

Please believe in your words.

In the mysterious death of Crown Prince Sohyeon, Kim Ja Jeom claims that Injo was involved. Jeongmyeong tries to change Injo’s twisted choice, but he won’t listen to her. Meanwhile, Jeongmyeong warns Kim Ja Jeom that he will pay for all his crimes.

How did you change the king's mind?

Ju Seon and Ja Jeom both betray each other to survive and Ju Won tells them they will pay for Crown Prince Sohyeon’s death and plotting. Realizing that his health is deteriorating, Injo is about to make a decision as the king.

As long as there is contact with the Qing, there is still a road left.

Ju Seon thinks about using the Qing to put Joseon into a crisis and In Woo, who has been injured from the assassins, chases after him. Meanwhile, word has been sent that the Qing have arrived at the guest hall and Ja Jeom is getting ready.

In Woo takes the gunshot that Ju Seon was firing towards Ju Won. Ju Seon realizes he shot his own son and in addition to Ju Seon, his wife and Kim Ryu are all taken into tribunal in according to national law.