Episode 5 is the fifth episode of season 2 of the Korean Netflix original television series Kingdom, and the eleventh episode overall.
Synopsis[]
To save innocent lives, Prince Chang and his men take over Hanyang. The queen determines that if she can't have the throne, no one can.
Plot summary[]
On the outskirts of Hanyang, Prince Chang rallies his troops as government forces prepare to execute the families of the rebel soldiers on the Queen's orders. One of the rebels turns himself in to the government, revealing the location of the prince's hideout in exchange for the safety of his family. Royal troops storm the building, but find it empty, revealing the confession to be a ruse to lure the government forces out of the citadel. Prince Chang enters the city, while the government orders the citadel gates sealed. Outnumbered, the government calls for reinforcements from the Minister of War.
At the execution site, Cho Beom-pal presides over the punishment of the rebels' families. However, he cannot bring himself to go through with the executions. The prince arrives, and Cho pledges his loyalty to him. The prince orders the prisoners released, including Min Chi-rok, who also pledges himself to the prince. Meanwhile, the Minister of War arrives at the Police Bureau with his forces, but immediately takes it over from the troops loyal to the Queen. News of the mass defections reaches the palace, but the Queen rejects the idea of escape, and instead prepares to meet her stepson in person.
Outside the palace, the prince meets with the Minister of War, who was convinced to join his side after reading the journal of Lee Seung-hui. The minister reports that all opposing forces have been contained and that they should head for the palace. There, they are greeted by the royal officials, who beg forgiveness, arguing that they were only following orders from Cho Hak-ju, and pledge to support him. As a token of good faith, they explain that they have disarmed all the remaining palace guards.
The prince and his followers march to the throne hall to confront the Queen, but she mocks them and refuses to abdicate. She calls the prince a criminal for murdering his father, and insists that the throne belongs to her son, the King's true heir. However, the officials question whether the baby is really hers, and insist an investigation must take place. Nevertheless, the Queen refuses to step down from the throne even when the prince draws his sword on her. The royal councilors propose simply drafting a proclamation in the Queen's name announcing the prince's enthronement, and leave for the Queen's palace to get the Royal Seal. However, a maid warns the Queen's chief court lady, and in a suicidal, last-ditch effort to stop Prince Chang from ascending the throne, she releases the monsters imprisoned beneath the Queen's Palace. She is immediately killed by them and drops her keys, allowing the also-imprisoned Seo-bi to escape. Upstairs, Seo-bi sees the infected attacking palace servants and officials.
From the throne room, Prince Chang can hears screams in the distance. The Queen declares that if she can't have the throne, no one can. Seo-bi reaches the throne room and warns the prince that the plague is spreading in the palace. The prince immediately prepares his soldiers for battle as the infected easily overwhelm the rest of the palace inhabitants. Some troops barricade themselves in the throne room with the Queen and Seo-bi, while Chi-rok and Beom-pal attempt to rescue civilians. The prince leads his troops through the palace, and initially appears to have some success in keeping the outbreak under control. However, they are soon forced to retreat when more arrive and the Minister of War kills himself when he is bitten; the survivors in the throne room are likewise besieged.
Cast and characters[]
Starring:
- Ju Ji-hoon as Crown Prince Lee Chang
- Bae Doo-na as Seo-bi
- Kim Sung-kyu as Yeong-shin
- Jeon Seok-ho as Cho Beom-pal
Supporting:
- Kim Hye-jun as Second Queen Cho
- Park Byung-Eun as Min Chi-rok
- Kim Tae-hoon as Lee Gang-yun
- Kim Jong-soo as Kim Sun
- Lee Yang-hui as the Minister of War
Quotes[]
Trivia[]
- The blue-robed portrait in the Royal Shrine is based on a famous portrait of King Taejo (1335-1408), founder of the Joseon dynasty. It is one of the few extant Korean royal portraits, which were mostly destroyed in a fire during the Korean War.
Gallery[]
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External links[]
Season 2, Episode 5 on the Internet Movie Database
