Watch Secret Royal Inspector & Joy

2021
1 Season

Secret Royal Inspector & Joy is a South Korean historical comedy drama television series that aired on tvN in 2021. Set in the Joseon Dynasty, the show offers a refreshing blend of mystery and humor, taking viewers on an entertaining journey through the lives of secret royal inspectors and their peculiar partnership with a royal gisaeng.

The story revolves around Sung Yi-gyum (played by Kim Myung-soo), a young scholar who becomes a secret royal inspector under the Joseon government's organization. Secret royal inspectors are appointed by the King himself to investigate corruption, bribery, and abuse of power within the government and local communities. Their identities are kept secret to ensure the effectiveness of their role. With a sharp mind and a strong sense of justice, Sung Yi-gyum is determined to uncover the truth and protect the weak against those in power.

In an unexpected turn of events, the young master Kim Joonyoung (played by Lee Seoyeon), an esteemed gisaeng and expert in traditional Korean music, is chosen to assist Sung Yi-gyum as his partner. Despite their contrasting backgrounds, the duo forms an unlikely and unstoppable team, blending their individual skills to solve complex cases. Together, they embark on a series of adventures, tackling various cases that reveal the dark underbelly of corruption and abuse in the kingdom.

Joy, a member of the popular K-pop group Red Velvet, takes on the role of Kim Joonyoung, delivering a remarkable performance as a clever and spirited gisaeng with a hidden past. Her character brings a breath of fresh air to the series, effortlessly balancing the dynamics with Sung Yi-gyum. Through her portrayal, Joy explores the depths of her character, showcasing her growth as an actress and immersing herself in the historical context of the show.

The chemistry between Sung Yi-gyum and Kim Joonyoung forms the backbone of the series, with their contrasting personalities creating a delightful combination of banter, wit, and camaraderie. Sung Yi-gyum's stoic and disciplined nature is complemented by Kim Joonyoung's vibrant and spirited demeanor, providing a perfect source of comic relief amidst the serious nature of their investigations. Their partnership not only serves as a driving force for the narrative but also highlights the importance of friendship and teamwork.

Beyond the entertaining mysteries that unfold, Secret Royal Inspector & Joy also explores themes of social justice, political corruption, and the role of individuals in creating change. The show does an excellent job of addressing these topics within the confines of a historical setting, shedding light on issues that resonate with contemporary audiences.

The production value of the series is exceptional, with meticulous attention to detail in recreating the aesthetically pleasing Joseon Dynasty setting. The costumes, set designs, and cinematography all work together to transport viewers back in time, providing an immersive experience throughout each episode.

Secret Royal Inspector & Joy is an engaging and enjoyable series that appeals to a wide audience. With its perfect blend of mystery, comedy, and romance, the show offers an entertaining escape into the intriguing world of secret royal inspectors and the captivating partnership between Sung Yi-gyum and Kim Joonyoung. Whether you are a fan of historical dramas or simply in search of an engaging story, this lighthearted and compelling series is sure to entertain and leave you eagerly awaiting each new episode.

Secret Royal Inspector & Joy is a series that ran for 1 seasons (16 episodes) between November 8, 2021 and on tvN

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Seasons

16. A New Life on Ganghwa Island

December 28, 2021

Yi Eon takes Park Seung to the edge of a cliff before taking him into the Department of Justice. Although given one last chance to repent for his sins, Park Seung does not show any signs of remorse. Later on, Yi Eon finally resigns from his post. He tells Yuk Chil and Gu Pal about his plans for the future which shocks them both.

15. The Hidden Pocket In The Sock

December 27, 2021

Yi Eon receives evidence from Tae Seo that Park Seung was the mastermind in poisoning the crown prince. Jo Yi witnesses Park Seung hiding a letter inside the sock that he had specially made. Tae Seo head to Hanyang to testify against his father's crimes, but Park Seung and Do Soo head to Ganghwa Island.

14. The Day Park Tae Seo Was Born

December 21, 2021

Yi Eon's grandmother continues to pressure Yi Eon to marry a woman she chooses for him. Yi Eon resists until the day he leaves for Ganghwa Island in order to catch Park Tae Seo. In the market, Jo Yi runs into Seung Yul who now works as a lawyer. Seung Yul sincerely tells his feelings for her with a gift that Jo Yi wanted to have years ago. Meanwhile, Park Tae Seo finds out a secret about his birth and falls into a state of panic.

13. Yi Eon Ousted From His Position

December 20, 2021

Yi Eon continues to go after Park Tae Seo who fled from the execution, but he fails in catching him. Yi Eon gets removed from his position and starts to blame himself. Then, Jo Yi shows up before him and cheers him up. They go out together and happen to spend a night at Yi Eon's place. The next day, Yi Eon is summoned to the palace by the royal order and appointed to a new position by his new supervisor.

12. The First Trial

December 14, 2021

Yi Eon finds out Tae Seo was the fake physician who poisoned the Crown Prince to death. He wants to reveal that Park Seung was behind it but, Director Sim stops him as there is no point in arresting him when the King is on his side. Meanwhile, Jo Yi hesitates to hand over the gunpowder ledger to Yi Eon as she knows that her mother is involved.

11. The Boil Physician

December 13, 2021

Jo Yi, Bi Ryeong, and Gwang Soon start to make a living in Hanyang by making clothes and reading fortunes for noble ladies. Jo Yi hears all sorts of information about Park Seung's family from their gossip and relays the messages to Yi Eon. Meanwhile, Jo Yi's mother finally visits her in Hanyang with the help of her friend.

10. Lawyers In The Joseon Era

December 7, 2021

Jo Yi runs into Seung Yul, her childhood friend who became a successful lawyer in Hanyang. As they are catching up with each other at a tavern, Yi Eon stops by and sees them together. Meanwhile, after Tae Seo loses everything he worked for, he feels betrayed by his father. He plans to kill not only his father but the King as well.

9. Seventh Day Of The Seventh Month

December 6, 2021

Jo Yi, Gwang Soon, and Bi Ryeong travel to Tail Island to find Jo Yi's mother. When they get off at Ganghwa Island, they run into Han Gi and ask her about Turukson. Meanwhile, Yi Eon comes back and surprises everyone after secretly investigating Tae Seo and Do Soo's family. Naturally, Park Seung gets disappointed that he is alive.

8. The Silver Mine

November 30, 2021

Yi Eon visits a relay station nearby to summon backup to suppress Tae Seo's silver mine. However, he gets shocked after he sees the dead body of Seok Gi on the ground and figures out someone else is going after Tae Seo as well. Meanwhile, Bi Ryeong has no choice but to help Do Soo find Tae Seo's mine, where he has set up poisonous traps.

7. The Aconite

November 29, 2021

Yi Eon and Jo Yi manage to chase Tae Seo away from his hideout. As Yi Eon receives the crown prince's prescription from his bodyguards, he notices that he has been taking too much aconite before he died. Meanwhile, after running away from his hideout, Tae Seo sets traps around his mine so Yi Eon and his people cannot disturb him again while extracting the silver.

6. To The Hideout

November 23, 2021

Yi Eon manages to capture one of Mal Jong's men, who were chasing Jo Yi, and gets a clue about their hideout. They plan to barge into it to find more evidence about Bo Ri's death and the account book. Meanwhile, Do Soo is also curious to know where Tae Seo gets his expenses and decides to visit his hideout himself.

5. Do Soo visits Tae Seo

November 22, 2021

Yi Eon protects his people with the sword as the Crown Prince has taught him. As Jo Yi tries to convince Tae Seo and Mal Jong with her sharp observation, Yi Eon is impressed and wants to keep her with him. Meanwhile, Park Seung sends his son, Do Soo, to Tae Seo when he hears about Tae Seo getting involved with a new secret royal inspector.

4. The Corruption Of Soyang Trading Group

November 16, 2021

Yi Eon and Jo Yi run into a ghost. Jo Yi realizes that the ghost bears a striking resemblance to someone she knows. She starts chasing after it and soon discovers the ghost's secret. Meanwhile, Yi Eon and Jo Yi hear that Soyang Trading Group is riddled with corruption. They infiltrate the group to save the kids suffering under the tyrannical leader, Cha Mal Jong.

3. A Divorced Woman At A Shrine

November 15, 2021

Thanks to the help of Yi Eon, Jo Yi finally gets approval for her divorce. Soon after, an assassin shows up at Local Office, and Yi Eon happens to find out about those accused of criminal conspiracies. Meanwhile, Jo Yi leaves Gaehwa Valley to get to Hanyang and ends up staying the night at a shrine.

2. Nabi: Proof Of Divorce

November 9, 2021

The sudden death of a maiden, and a suspicious magistrate. Even though Yi Eon is not interested in investigating crimes, he could not turn a blind eye to this case. Therefore, he starts to search for evidence at Bo Ri's tavern. Meanwhile, Jo Yi finds the account book at Bo Ri's, and she realizes that it belongs to the magistrate of Gaehwa Valley.

1. Discuss To Reach An Uncontested Divorce

November 8, 2021

Yi Eon is a food-loving ordinary young man who works at the palace. One day, one of the secret royal inspectors comes back seriously ill, and Yi Eon is chosen as the next secret royal inspector. Meanwhile, Jo Yi who wants to get a divorce from her current husband Chu Han needs evidence that he is a gambling addict in order to make it happen. When she asks her best friend Bo Ri to help her, but she tells her a piece of shocking news.

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Where to Watch Secret Royal Inspector & Joy

Secret Royal Inspector & Joy is available for streaming on the tvN website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Secret Royal Inspector & Joy on demand at Netflix.