Ep 1. Episode 1

In "The King's Face" season 1 episode 1 titled "Episode 1", we are introduced to the story of King Gwanghae, who is known as the 15th king of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. The episode sets the stage for the political turmoil and danger that will follow for the young king, as well as introducing us to some of the key players in his kingdom.

We start the episode with a young Gwanghae, being educated on the importance of the king's face in ruling a kingdom. It is explained to him that the king's face is a symbol of the kingdom, and that how he presents himself can either inspire his people or create fear and unrest. We see Gwanghae's father, King Seonjo, who is becoming increasingly paranoid and fearful for his life, despite being surrounded by loyal servants.

As Gwanghae grows older, he begins to see the corruption and backstabbing that occurs in the palace, as court officials jockey for power and influence. It becomes clear that Gwanghae's legitimacy as king is constantly being challenged, as some claim that he is not the true heir to the throne. His father's paranoia has also created a tense environment, with spies and envoys from other kingdoms being viewed with suspicion.

We are introduced to some of the key players in the palace, such as the eunuch Yoo Ji-Ryong, who acts as an advisor to the young Gwanghae. He is an interesting character, as he is seen as both cunning and loyal - it's clear that his priority is the well-being of the king, but he's not afraid to manipulate situations to ensure that the king's enemies are dealt with. It's also hinted that there may be a personal connection between Yoo Ji-Ryong and Gwanghae's mother, which is a storyline that will likely be explored in future episodes.

Another important character introduced is the scholar Kim Do-Chi, who acts as a mentor and confidante to Gwanghae. He's portrayed as being a bit more straightforward and idealistic than some of the other characters - he believes in justice and righteousness, and is disdainful of anyone who would harm the innocent. We see him clash with some of the more corrupt officials in the palace, which sets up a conflict that will likely be explored in future episodes.

As the episode progresses, we see the danger that the government officials pose to Gwanghae's reign. A conspiracy is uncovered where officials are planning an assassination attempt on the young king, with the intention of putting a puppet ruler in power. The king's loyal servants work hard to uncover the plot and protect Gwanghae, but it's clear that the threat to his rule will only continue to grow in the coming episodes.

Overall, "The King's Face" season 1 episode 1 is a strong start to the series. The world of the palace is intriguing and full of danger, with a number of complex characters that will no doubt continue to drive the storyline forward. The episode sets up a number of conflicts and power struggles that will keep viewers engaged, while also giving us a glimpse into the life of a young king who is struggling to assert his authority in a volatile political environment.