the fight against the King, her father. Kim Yeong-cheol as Grand Prince Suyang (수양대군, 首陽大君) Younger brother of King Munjong, he has his eyes firmly fixed on the throne. He is a ruthless politician, who will not countenance anyone standing in his way. Se-ryung, his eldest daughter, is his weakness, but when she falls in love with the son of his enemy, he has no compunctions in eliminating Kim Seung-yoo and his entire family. He brutally eliminates the supporters of his young nephew, King Danjong, and finally forces him to abdicate the throne. He becomes the King of Joseon, but is haunted by dreams of his crimes. Hong Soo-hyun as Princess Gyeonghye (경혜공주, 敬惠公主) Se-ryung's cousin and friend, she is King Munjong's only legitimate daughter. She is indulged by her father and revels in the adulation she receives as the most beautiful woman in the land, but the sudden knowledge of her father's illness and Grand Prince Suyang's political threat to her young brother, who is next in line for the throne, destroys her sheltered and uncomplicated life. Convinced of the importance of allying with Kim Jong-seo's family, she tries to separate Seung-yoo and Se-ryung. However, as the political machinations of Grand Prince Suyang unfold, she finds herself trapped in an unwanted marriage with Jung Jong. But as her uncle systematically destroys her allies one by one, she begins to find solace and comfort in her husband's love. After Jung Jong's death, she gives birth to their child. Song Jong-ho as Shin Myeon (신면, 申沔) He is a Magistrate Officer at the Capital Bureau, who enjoys a deep camaraderie with his friends. When he saves Kim Seung-yoo and Se-ryung from an attack by bandits, the girl's bravery arouses his interest. What begins as a crush on his best friend's girl has devastating consequences when his father strikes an alliance with Grand Prince Suyang and marriage is on the cards for both of them. Finding himself wanting Se-ryung more and more, he ultimately decides to betray his own friend, even attempting to kill him. As Se-ryung rejects his advances, his obsession with her grows and he becomes willing to pay any price Suyang requires of him. Lee Min-woo as Jung Jong (정종, 鄭悰) The gentle and perpetually debt-ridden friend of Seung-yoo and Shin Myeon, he finds himself deeply in love after he crashes into a palanquin bearing Princess Gyeonghye and is