S1 • E1
Oh Tae-seok, the Namin political leader, frames the murder of Minister Jang Ik-hun on a secret swordsmen society. The society is led by Choi Hyo-won, a commoner. His daughter, Dong Yi works with other poor childen unloading boats. She was one of the last people to see the Minister alive.
S1 • E2
The Society is accused of murdering more political leaders. Choi Hyo-won discovers Oh Tae-seok is behind the crimes. He takes Dong Yi to a safe house but she runs away. Choi Hyo-won is framed for the murder of the police chief's father.
S1 • E3
Choi Hyo-won and his men are arrested and escorted to prison. On the way, the men are attacked and killed. Cheon-soo was tasked with protecting Dong Yi. She flees from the police officers.
S1 • E4
Chen-see puts Dong Yi in Seol-hee's care. A body is identified as Dong Yi's. The police chief knows otherwise but says nothing. Seol-hee passes Dong Yi to the head of the royal music school, Hwang Joo-shik.
S1 • E5
Now an adult, Dong Yi is obsessed with Jang Ok-jung's ornamental key. She is convinced the butterfly shaped key could clear the names of her father and brother. She is kidnapped just as she is about to take the key.
S1 • E6
Dong Yi wakes up in a shed next to a murdered man. The police can find no body when they investigate. Lady Jang is blamed for the unpopular sound change of a musical instrument. Dong Yi meets a man who is actually the king in disguise.
S1 • E7
Dong Yi and King Sook-jong are threatened by masked men. The Queen Mother is involved in a conspiracy with the Seoin political faction. Dong Yi discovers the reason for the different sounding musical instrument. Ok-jung blackmails the Queen Mother.
S1 • E8
Namin party members replace the Seoins in ministry positions. Police Chief Seo Yong-ki suspects Dong Yi of being the daughter of Choi Hyo-wan. The Namin fears being blamed after someone poisons the King's tea.
S1 • E9
Dong Yi is questioned by the police about the disappearance of a doctor. The King notices the Queen's freckles have changed color. The Seoin and the Queen Mother try to throw suspicion on Ok-jung after learning she brought medicinal herbs into the palace.
S1 • E10
Ok-jung is interrogated by a special investigator for the murder of the queen. King Sook-jong tasks Seo Yong-ki with finding the real killer. Oh Tae-seok tries to frame Dong Yi for it.
S1 • E11
Dong Yi is saved by the king. Ok-jung, grateful to Dong Yi for proving her innocence, asks the King to give her a special job. Jang Hee-jae arrives in the capital.
S1 • E12
Dong Yi finds her job as a court lady at the Special Investigations Bureau difficult. The other women look down on her because of her low born status. They plot to get rid of her. Seo Yong-ki and Jang Hee-jae have high positions at the royal police station.
S1 • E13
Dong Yi is nearly fired after missing the Bureau's annual ceremony. The Queen Mother and the Seoin party are unhappy that Ok-jung is chosen to be the King's royal concubine. Dong Yi discovers Cheon-soo is a member of her father's secret society.
S1 • E14
Cheon-soo and Dong Yi are reunited. Kim Yoon-dal is investigated for illegal currency control. The investigation is dropped after Kim Yoon-dal spots the court ladies. Dong Yi continues anyway and sneaks into the Jangak Pavilion while everyone is meeting with the Qing Empire's royal delegation.
S1 • E15
Dong Yi is horrified to learn the true identity of King Sook-jong. Kim yoon-dal commits suicide after leaving a note claiming he was framed. The Qing delegation accuses Dong Yi. The King is shocked speechless when the Qing declare they will take her with them.
S1 • E16
Ok-jung suspects the King has feelings for Dong Yi after he nearly provokes a war with the Qing Empire over her. Dong Yi surprises the head of the Qing delegation.
S1 • E17
Ok-jung announces her pregnancy after she receives the royal concubine rank. She later gives birth to a boy. Her brother, Jang Hee-jae, receives a promotion to royal police chief. The Queen Mother interferes with plans to make Ok-jung's son a crown prince. The court ladies are called in to investigate the suspected poisoning of the Queen Mother.
S1 • E18
Ok-jung's attendant is suspected by Dong Yi of the poisoning. Young-sun is shocked to learn she is a suspect. Ok-jung discovers her brother has tampered with the medicinal herbs. She enlists Dong Yi's help in covering it up but is refused.
S1 • E19
A doctor claims the poisoner is Queen In-hyun, shocking the King. Queen In-hyun confronts Ok-jung over her lies. Dong Yi tries and fails to find evidence proving the Queen's innocence.
S1 • E20
Jang Hee-jae and Oh Tae-seok move quickly to have the Queen stripped of her rank and banished. Dong Yi would be vulnerable if that happened. The King is very troubled by the evidence against the Queen. Dong Yi offers Jang Hee-jae a deal after she nearly uncovers evidence of the Queen's innocence.
S1 • E21
After asking Dong Yi to care for the King, Queen In-hyun is banished. Jang Hee-jae is thrilled his sister, the royal concubine, can rule as queen now. Dong Yi puts Ok-jung on notice while Ok-jung plots against her.
S1 • E22
Dong Yi finally has the support of the other court ladies. She begins an investigation into the interior ministry. Jang Hee-jae used some of its funds to pay for the false testimony against the queen. The King orders the investigation stopped. Ok-jung decides to kill Dong Yi.
S1 • E23
Dong Yi, armed with evidence of the Queen's innocence, tries to escape assassins. Hit by a dart, she collapses. The King decides to hunt deer for fur to make Dong Yi slippers. Instead, he is told Dong Yi has run away after setting fire to the Interior Ministry building.
S1 • E24
Ok-jung moves into the Queen's quarters. However, her son has not been recognized as the heir by the Qing Empire. A supposedly fictional novel of the framing of the Queen makes many nervous. While searching for Dong Yi, Cheon-soo and Seo Yong-ki hear about messages written on rocks.
S1 • E25
Dong Yi, in Pyeongan Province, tells her story to Shim Woon-taek. They work together to find out what Jang Hee-jae has been up to. Oh-yoon is heartbroken to learn the King has feelings for Dong Yi and is looking for her.
S1 • E26
After learning about Jang Hee-jae's Province dealings, Dong Yi is captured. Spurned on by the novel, the public is outraged on the banished queen's behalf. Ok-jung and Namin are forced to plot against the Queen again.
S1 • E27
Dong Yi's progress to the capital is hindered by wanted posters of herself. Seo Yong-ki is given royal authority to investigate anything related to Dong Yi. After giving secret orders, Ok-jung becomes extremely sick after sipping tea during a public ceremony.
S1 • E28
Two court ladies are arrested for the attempted murder of Ok-jung. Evidence of a plot is found at the banished queen's residence. Dong Yi makes her way into the palace. Seo Yong-ki and Cheon-soo search for her.
S1 • E29
Dong Yi and the King are reunited. Ok-jung becomes suspicious when the King's attitude towards her changes. Dong Yi testifies about the government corruption. Ok-jung's servants are investigated by the King's personal guards.
S1 • E30
The King admits his feeling for Dong Yi. Jang Hee-jae is arrested and tortured. Oh Tae-seok fears what will happen when the King discovers the Queen's innocence. The King gives Ok-jung the opportunity to come clean but she refuses. Ok-jung devises her next plot.
S1 • E31
King Sook-jung gives Dong Yi the rank of Seung. Overwhelmed by her new status, Dong Yi flees the palace. Ok-jung tries to bargain with the King for her brother's release.
S1 • E32
Oh Tae-seok searches for Dong Yi as he tries to sabotage her. An apprehensive Ok-jung and Jang Hee-jae wait for Qing to recognize her son as the crown prince. See Yong-ki and Cheon-soo work to uncover evidence of Ok-jung's guilt. The young prince falls sick and rumors blame Dong Yi.
S1 • E33
Shortly after Dong Yi visits Queen Jang to ask her for more time to unearth the cause of the mysterious illness, Ae Jung becomes infected. Pressed for time, Don Yi's feverish quest for the source of the illness leads her to the Court ladies of Suragan.
S1 • E34
Tensions are high after Jang Hee Jae gives Quing China the phony military log. Jang Hee and Queen Jang are relieved when the Quing Chinese Emissary issues the Imperial Endorsement for the Crown Prince Investiture.
S1 • E35
Seo Yong-ki learns Dong Yi's real identity. Dong Yi begs to be allowed to explain her origins to the king. Ok-jung discovers Seo Yong-ki looking for information about secret swordsmen societies in the archives.
S1 • E36
Having forged the crown prince documents, Jang Hee-jae is pressured by the Qing delegation. Dong Yi is invited to a banquet for the delegation. No one is allowed to leave the banquet hall on orders of Ok-jung. Guards from the Ministry of Justice and the King's personal guards are sent to the hall.
S1 • E37
King Sook-jong learns of the forged documents. He arrests Oh-yoon, Jang Hee-jae and all of the Namin. The King decides changes are in order to prevent the power plays that have disrupted the court from happening again.
S1 • E38
Ok-jung loses her position as queen and is once again only a royal concubine. The King feels guilty for allowing Ok-jung's antics and for doubting Queen In-hyun. Queen In-hyun returns to the palace and her former position. She is Dong Yi's firm ally against Ok-jung.
S1 • E39
Choi Dong Yi becomes a member of the Royal Household. Sukjong reviews government documents and watches military training. Jang Mu Yeol accuses Oh Tae Seok of murder.
S1 • E40
Choi Dong Yi follows Queen Inhyeon's orders and leaves the palace, under mysterious circumstances. Choi Dong Yi is about to be attacked in her new home.
S1 • E41
Flashbacks occur during episode 41 when Jang Ik Heon and others are assassinated. Oh Tae Seok blames the incident on the Geumgae Group. Gae Do Ra is the new Geumgae leader.
S1 • E42
Oh Tae Seok looks forward to regaining power while Shim Yun Taek still blames him for the assassinations. Choi Dong Yi remembers a hand gesture which leads to an assassination connection to Jang Hee Bin.
S1 • E43
Dong Yi confesses to King Sook-jong that she is the daughter of Choi Hyo-won. The King orders Mu Yeol to drop the investigation of Dong Yi. But he interrogates her court ladies anyway. Dong Yi travels to Han Sung Bu.
S1 • E44
The King follows Dong Yi to Han Sung Bu. Cheon-soo is banished from the court. Dong Yi becomes pregnant and gives birth to a boy. The King names the prince Geum.
S1 • E45
Dong Yi finds a great opportunity to teach everyone around her, about the philosophy of the ancient wise men and how they can help all people prepare for the future. All characters reflect the seasons of the harvest and the Great Learning texts are reintroduced.
S1 • E46
Yi Geum's teacher recommends Yun Han Kim Gu Seon as a tutor. Choi Dong Yi asks the teacher to keep Yi Geum's great intelligence a secret.
S1 • E47
The Namin Faction asks Sukjong to reconsider the decision to let Choi Dong Yi back into the palace. Queen Inhyeon is glad about the decision but Jang Hee Bin is unhappy.
S1 • E48
Queen Inhyeon tells a surprised Choi Dong Yi how Prince Yeoning should take the throne instead of Choi Dong Yi's son. Jang Hee Jae searches for Prince Yun's doctor.
S1 • E49
Queen Inhyeon suffers a coma from heart problems. Kim Gu Seon pushes Prince Yeoning to eat potentially toxic acorns. Prince Yeoning looks for an herb to help the Queen.
S1 • E50
Queen Inhyeon faces death and asks Sukjong to protect the royalty and staff. After her death, the palace goes into mourning and prepares the funeral. Choi Dong suspects Mudang performed a Bang Ja on the Queen.
S1 • E51
The staff debates whether Prince Yun or Prince Yeoning will be king. Missing books show up with Prince Yeoning's texts. The staff believe an intruder entered the palace.
S1 • E52
Prince Yun and Prince Yeoning are missing. The Captain of the Palace faces death if he does not find the princes. The staff wonders if the princes left of their own volition.
S1 • E53
Prince Yun suffers impotence and wants Prince Yeoning to become king. The royals and staff want to keep the illness of the crown prince a secret.
S1 • E54
Cheon-soo saves Dong Yi after she is stabbed. Guards take Jang Hee-jae away. Ok-jung confesses after a brutal interrogation. King Sook-jong demands Ok-jung kill herself. She is presented with poison to take.
S1 • E55
Ok-jung dies after taking poison. The nobility do not want commoner Dong Yi as queen. In-won becomes queen instead. The new queen is manipulated into trying to arrange marriage for Dong Yi's son. By law, once he is married, he must leave the palace and Dong Yi's protection.
S1 • E56
Dong Yi and Queen Inwon struggle with Prince Yeoning's pending wedding celebration. While Yi, Inwon and Head Eunuch Han argue about the need for the royal court to review the basis of this unexpected marriage, other parties vie for authority over the throne. Dramatic power struggles come to a vengeful climax in this highly theatric installment.
S1 • E57
Sukjong and Choi Dong Yi discuss Prince Yeoning's right to the throne, just before Chief Eunuch Han enters the room to have a discussion on a possible military seizure of the palace. Meanwhile, Prince Yeoning and Princess Consort Dalseong visit Queen Inwon, a visit that irritates Bong Sang Gung after the royalty steps out of protocol.
S1 • E58
Jang Mu Yeol takes military control of the palace, and Cha Cheon Soo reluctantly complies with the commander's orders to vacate the temple. Hwang Jung Gu then informs his subjects of the change in the monarchy, ordered by the Minister of Military. Meanwhile, Queen Inwon has a conspiring talk with Jang Mu Yeol, and Choi Dong Yi contemplates suicide.
S1 • E59
Jang Mu Yeol & Officer Min show up to arrest Suk Bin Mama, but the officer's soldiers stand down. The event sends Oh Ho Yan into a raging tantrum. Meanwhile, Dong Yi learns that Cheon Na wants to give up his right to the throne, and the king's lover finally admits her true feelings to Sukjong.
S1 • E60
The Crown Prince Yun thanks Bo Gyeong Dang for helping him regain the throne, and Sukjong & Choi Dong Yi walk the streets of Doseong. There, the couple reflects their time spent together and talks about their concerns of the public's safety. Later, Dong Yi realizes that she is just a commoner after seeing Suk Bin Mama released from prison and reunited with her daughter.
Dong Yi
Jang Hee-Bin
Court Lady Bong
Secretary Yoo
Ae-Jong
Court Lady Jeong
Jung Eum
Choi Dong Yi
Yeong-dal
Eun-Geum