One beloved friend and one woman he loved. In-woo was Joseon's most respectable bachelor (上美男)
If Hong Joo-won had honor, Kang In-woo's family had wealth that even surpassed the king's riches. Kang In-woo was the sole heir to the family fortune. Uninterested in politics, In-woo quickly disconnected himself from the political scene. He spent most of his time at the archery grounds where most young men without work would gather. Any new kisaeng house would warrant a visit by him, too. Nobody expected him to accomplish anything.
When he was a young boy, In-woo was a bright boy and his father had a lot of expectations for him. So he dreamed of succeeding and cultivated his ambition. But when he learned of the family secret about his real mother, he began to lose interest in succeeding. His mother was a house servant (女婢) who had a relation with his father, which made him a commoner. Whenever In-woo would see his slave half-brother, he would struggle with his identity. The hypocritical behavior of his foster mother, whom he thought was his real mother, turned him off and plunged him into a life of debauchery. Then he met Princess Jungmyung.
He found himself idolizing Princess Jungmyung who was as blue-blooded as they came, and that was unattainable to In-woo since his mother was a slave. When Jungmyung lost her brother and was relegated to the commoner's class, he could relate to her plight like no one else could. After Gwanghae had Jungmyung assassinated, which unbeknownst to him she had survived, In-woo fell into despair...
Then years passed and In-woo met Jungmyung again at the Hwagidogam ministry. Joo-won introduced her as a boy he brought back from Japan, but In-woo instantly knew she was wearing a disguise but he did not tell anyone. He relished teasing Joo-won who kept up her act as posing as a boy. He especially found it pleasing to see her reactions when she was teased. He even flirted with her. But before long, he found out that she was actually Princess Jungmyung and this shocks him to his core...
