Prince Dowon Yi Rim

Clerk Yi

Queen Dowager Yim (grandmother)

King Huiyeong Yi Gyeom (biological father)

Goo Hae-ryung

Prince Dowon (Yi Rim) is a 20-year-old protagonist in *Rookie Historian*, portrayed by Cha Eun-woo. Kept in the royal palace in *Nokseodang*, the prince is little known and has very little experience of the real, outside world. He is optimistic, an avid-reader, creative, and romantic.

## Biography

Prince Dowon begins the series as Maehwa, a famed romance novelist in Hanyang. However, once caught, he is forced to give up his romance writing. He lives in *Nokseodang* in the royal palace, and is not allowed to leave often. He does not engage much in political affairs due to the secluded nature of his lifestyle. The people of Joseon and many palace workers/government officials do not recognise him, either.

Despite being desperate to earn King Yi Tae's acceptance, he often instead provokes his ire - caught writing novels, disobeying the order to ban variolation against smallpox, and harbouring Western intruder Jean Baptiste Bartelemy.

Although distant from politics, he begins to realise his importance when he is sent to small-pox ridden villages. He undertakes variolation despite physical and social risk in order to save the lives of the villagers, disobeying the King. He also confronts governors who had lied about how dire the smallpox pandemic actually was.

Prince Dowon is also used as a political pawn through his arranged marriage. Although in love with Goo Hae-ryung, the expectations of others eventually convince him to reluctantly accept his upcoming marriage.

#### SPOILERS:

He is determined to find the truth of his birth - and realises that he is the son of the previous dethroned King Huiyeong Yi Gyeom, and thus, is the actual heir to the Joseon throne. However, he decides to turn down the kingship to live as an ordinary man, travelling around the world.

## Personality

Prince Dowon is a dreamy romantic. Stuck at *Nokseodang*, he enjoys hearing of real life love stories and writing romance novels despite little experience with love himself. He swoons and smiles to himself, especially when Goo Hae-ryung says or does something particularly charming.

He is shown to also be very enthusiastic and eager. When mistaken for a clerk for the Office of Royal Decrees, he is happy to help despite his royal status. Earnest in carrying out his tasks although he does not always complete them well.

Prince Dowon wears his heart on his sleeve - crying when upset, angry and jealous, sweet and loving. He is kind at heart, but also naive as he is inexperienced in politics and the outside world.

## Relationships

Goo Hae-ryung

As the two main protagonists in the story, Hae-ryung and Prince Dowon get to know each other as Author (Yi Lim as Maehwa the romance writer) and Reader. Though Hae-Ryung initially thinks she can be friends with him, her hopes are thrown off when she realizes Yi Lim is the hidden prince. However, they unintentionally have their first romantic interaction in the 6th episode, when they act as a couple to avoid being punished for wandering after the curfew. After that, they grow romantic feeling for each other throughout the series (as they should); they often share kisses and affection when no one is looking.

Crown Prince Jin

As brothers, Yi Lim and the Crown Prince are depicted to be pretty close. They share worries about the country’s future frequently.

**Spoiler**

However, when it is revealed that Yi Lim is the former King’s son and therefore the rightful heir to the throne, the two’s relationship becomes strained. But Crown Prince Jin eventually accepts the truth and gets ready to hand over the claim to the throne, their brotherhood is restored; Yi Lim gives up his title, and the Crown Prince and Yi Lim are back (not quite lol) to what they were before all the chaos.

Eunuch Heo Sam-bo

Queen Dowager Yim

King Hamyeong Yi Tae