Original subtitles

- Episode 3 -

Don't scream! Be quiet!

You're going to keep quiet, right?

I'm going to test you.

So, you are quiet.

By the way, who are you?

Mister, who are you?

You don't need to know. You...

Father, aren't you done yet?

Mister, you're a thief, right?

What? Thief?

Aren't you stealing something?

Quiet. The woman of this household is so mean, she won't give me my money.

You're a victim, too?

Then you, too? Poor kid.

You're hungry, aren't you? Eat this. It's steamed rice for making wine.

People aren't born thieves. Mean people make them thieves.

Father, hurry!

Okay, I'm coming out.

Take as much as you can.

Here... be careful.

Who's this?! Who are you?! Who the heck are you?!

Why, these people!

My liquor! My liquor!

Oh, my! That thief took all of it!

I'm going to catch that thief! Hey!

Thanks for the food.

Sure.

You shouldn't be around here.

Go get a little soup from the kitchen and leave.

Please give me a bowl of rice and soup.

Rice and soup? Do you have any money?

Yes.

Let me see.

Where did this little kid get such money?

He sold the liquor he stole from me.

No, I didn't steal it! It wasn't me!

I saw it clearly with my two eyes. How dare you lie!

No, it wasn't me! No!

-Whatever... Iet's go. -Let go!

I caught the thief. Why should I let go?!

Oh, my...

I finally caught the thief who's been stealing liquor. Tell me how much you stole all this time.

I said that it wasn't me!

If it's not you, then who else could it be?

It wasn't me... I saw a thief earlier...

And?

But, Mister...

What's wrong with him? What's wrong?

I'm feeling dizzy. Must've lost energy.

Ha! You eat everything that's good for you as you prepare health food for the king. What do you mean you don't have energy?!

Get up. Get up quickly. Get up!

Mother, look at him.

Why did he collapse suddenly?

Hey, hey, what's wrong with you?

Child, say, "ah".

She'd kill me if she finds out.

I won't just die but I'd be beaten and bleed to death.

So when you regain your strength after eating this, I'll help you escape to a safe place.

Run far away. Okay?

That's the only way for both of us to stay alive.

You eat like a cute baby bird.

Are you crazy? We don't even have enough porridge for Ildo.

And you're feeding that to the thief?!

Even so, as a Royal Chef, how could I be indifferent to a dying...

Stop the nonsense!

You'll pop my eardrum. As it is I live barely being able to hear from this one good ear...

Whether you are a Royal Chef or not, if you cook food for the King, go get your pay on time.

And you... where is your mother? I'll take you to her, so let's go.

Stop staring at me like that and tell me. Where is she?

She passed away.

What?

Oh, no. She passed away?

How about your father?

Father too...

What a pity...

Your father, too?!

I have no place to go, so please take care of me for now.

Oh, no...

Don't even say such a thing. Let's go now.

Mother, Father...

Be quiet. What do you know?

It's 15 days' worth. You can stay for that long.

Thank you.

15 days? It's more like 20 days.

Ouch... my back... it aches so much...

Jang Geum, don't be sad.

Don't cry and don't give up easily.

Your father will be with you, whatever path you take,

and I'll be with you wherever you are.

Why, that... you're still sleeping?

Why, that lazy old man...!

Aren't you going to get water?! This old man!

Your wife's back hurts and asks you to get some fresh water, but I always have to push you to go!

I'm so sick of this! I can't live like this!

How come he's not awake yet? Hey!

Aren't you going to wake up?

He isn't here?

Huh? Wait... you!

So, you're a girl?

Yes.

Huh?

So you were the one who came here to ask something...

Yes.

Oh my!

Oh, my back! Ouch...

I know I'm going to die before my time because of this darn back...

Oh, my back!

Aw . . . my back . . . my back . . . ouch . . .

Oh, my back! Ouch!

I know I'm going to die before my time because of this darn back...

Oh, my back . . . my back . . .

Because of this darn back, I will die before my time . . .

Ah!

Huh?

What's this?

Hmm?

What in the world are you doing?

Stay still. Warm it up like this, it's good for your back.

You're suffering from pain every day.

Please lie down.

Aigo...

Thanks for taking care of me all this time.

Thanks for what? Even if you spend your whole life working here

you won't be able to pay for all of the stolen liquor.

So, don't even think about running away. Understand?

Yes.

Ah, that feels good.

How refreshing! It feels so good!

[Sky, Literature, Sun, Moon]

You try writing now.

Me? No...

Try writing!

No, I can't.

Here.

Where are you going?

[2 years later] [12th year of Yeonsan-Kun's Rule (1506)]

This is for the Minster of Historic Data and Archives.

This is for the artist of the Ministry of Arts. Did you get that?

Yes, I know. I memorized it all

Good. I have to hurry somewhere for the King's medical food.

So let's meet here at around 6:00pm. All right?

Yes.

And what do you say at home?

You did it all by yourself.

That's right. I'll see you later.

Don't be late okay?

Oh sure, okay.

What medicinal food? He's going somewhere to drink again.

[Sponsored by: Korean Folk Village]

Minister of General Affairs Yu Sun Jang, Governor of Sukwon Jang Jang, and Minister of Law Hong Kyung Cha have already joined with us.

Traitors Shin Sook Eun and Shin Soo Geun brothers, and Yim Sa Hong

and others who have risen to power through him have been designated.

How about the entry to the palace?

The 5 military forces have come to our side.

The Royal Cavalry and Royal Guards are still unclear.

Then there will be conflict...

It's not complete but we've thought of a plan.

Go ahead and tell him.

You know that Choi Pan Sul is providing us with funds and fighters.

He is the nephew of the Head Court Lady of the Royal Kitchen.

So what does that matter?

We've told the Head Court Lady to put something in the Royal Guards and Cavalry's food.

They won't be able to use their strength properly.

That's an excellent move. Can she bring it off?

I've watched her from the beginning. There won't be any mistakes.

Then there is only one thing left to do.

How are you going to tell this to Prince Jinsung,

the rightful successor as the son of King Sungjong?

Yim Sa Hong has policemen surrounding him everyday,

under the guise of protecting him.

How can we tell him?

Do you have any good ideas?

Yes, I do.

You do?

There is a way to avoid detection by Yim Sa Hong.

What? Are you out of your mind?

Your Excellency, we've come to this conclusion after much contemplation.

A 10 year-old girl?

Yes, that's right.

That's the only way for us.

She has gone there a couple times to deliver drinks by herself,

and as it turns out that tomorrow is the day that she'll be delivering drinks.

But how could we let such a weighty matter depend on a 10 year old child?

You shouldn't think like that.

It could be better that she knows nothing.

But she could also tell everything because she doesn't know.

Mak Ke, who has been watching her, said she's very intelligent,

and to make sure...

an assassin will follow her.

If she isn't able to enter and gets captured by the police,

or discovered by others,

she can be...

Jang Geum, listen to me carefully. This is for the Minister of Internal Affairs' house,

and this is for Prince Jinsung. Okay?

Yes, I know. Don't be late today.

Okay, I'll be back soon.

Jang Geum! Jang Geum!

Jang Geum... are you taking drinks to Prince Jinsung today?

Yes.

Oh, good. I'll pay you for your services later.

Please deliver these for me.

Sir Park Won Jong is personally sending these to him as birthday gifts,

so you must deliver them to Prince Jinsung personally. Alright?.

Yes.

And special to each wine bottle I've written the name of the wines.

Tell the Prince as you give it to him that he has to drink them in this order to enjoy the best taste. Okay?.

Yes.

You can memorize it by looking at the colors, right?.

Oh, one more thing. There is something that you must keep in mind. If someone asks you anything

just tell them you're delivering drinks to Prince Jinsung as usual, okay?

If you don't do it, what do you think I will do to you?

I'm going to send you to a place with two tigers!

So you must obey and don't make any mistakes, okay?

Here, go ahead.

It's that girl.

Don't make any mistakes.

Yes, sir.

Stop!

Where are you going?.

I'm delivering drinks to the Prince.

Drinks?

It's okay. It's the same delivery girl that came last time.

Are you here by yourself today?

Yes.

Go ahead.

Is my mother doing well?

Yes...

Why do you look so sad? [Prince Jinsung - Future King Joongjong]

Though she has told me to tell you she's doing well,

actually she is not.

His Majesty has cancelled all the regular study meetings

and invited all types of entertainers for daily partying

and he continues in the reckless debauchery that is truly hard to watch with both eyes open.

I've heard about it too. I heard that when Eunuch Kim Chuh Sun

told him to stop, he shot an arrow at him on the spot.

Yes.

Your mother has told me to tell you that you must be very careful.

Your Highness, Sir Park Won Jong has sent drinks for your birthday.

Sir Park Won Jong?.

- Bring them in. - Yes.

Is the person who brought these still here?

Yes, but it's a young child.

A young child. Send her in.

Yes.

What kind of drinks are they that you ask to have the child brought in?

I'm not sure.

How dare you... in front of the Prince!

It is my dream to become a court lady in the Royal Kitchen.

Please take me with you.

What kind of improper action is this! Won't you show proper courtesy to the Prince!

I don't know how she could be so insolent even if she's uneducated.

I'm overwhelmed with shame, sir.

It's all right. She must really want to become a court lady.

Did you bring these drinks?

Yes, sir.

Did you say Sir Park Won Jong sent these?

Yes, sir.

He didn't say anything else?.

No, he only said they're to congratulate you on your birthday.

Each drink has a congratulatory message and you should drink them in order.

Each drink has a congratulatory message and you should drink them in order.

You mean in this order?

No, sir.

Then what order?

First is "Keumhyun," next "Chunchun," next "Gidang,"

and lastly "Sawi".

Do you know the characters?

I learned a bit watching over people's shoulders.

What a child...

What's wrong?

Nothing ... it's nothing.

Your Highness...

You can go back now.

Yes, sir.

You should go back, too, Court Lady Lee.

Wait!

What's your name?

My name is Jang Geum.

What are you going to say to the person who sent you?

It's all right. You can tell me.

I will tell him that you have accepted the wine gratefully,

but you looked deeply troubled.

Is that how I looked to you?

Okay. Tell him that.

Like she said, you do look deeply troubled. What is it?

It's nothing. The child is very bright.

Though she seems like a tomboy I think so, too.

If you have the strength, do fulfill to her wish.

That's all.

Madam! I wish to become a court lady in the Royal Kitchen.

Please do take me.

How dare you! Get out of here before I beat you.

"Keum-chun-gi-sa", the sky of today is already dead.

"Hyun-chun-dang-wi", the sky to come, ought to be the sky.

"Keum-chun-gi-sa", the sky of today is already dead.

"Hyun-chun-dang-wi", the sky to come, ought to be the sky. What does this mean?

This is surely a sutra written by Jang Gak during the Riot of Hwanggunjeok (Yellow Scarf Gang).

"Chang Chun Gi Sa" The blue sky is already dead."

"Hwang Chun Dang Wi" It's a satire for Hwanggunnjeok's sky naturally needs to be the sky.

He just switched the first character.

"Keum-chun", sky of today referring to the King,

and "Hyun-chun", meaning sky to come referring to my name Hyun.

Sir Park Won Jong is ... he is ... plotting treason with me in the front.

What should I do?

I do not want to be the king when they succeed,

nor do I want to be killed when they fail.

Okay. Good job.

Yi Gwa and Yu Bin who were exiled to Jeolla Province are

already sending manifestos and up in arms.

We must move up the revolt date.

So how did it go?

He told her to say that he has accepted the wine gratefully,

but he was deeply troubled.

This means he has accepted it.

We could lose the initiative and may not be able,

to assume leadership of politics later.

Your Excellency!

Fine. Let's move up the revolt date and do it tonight.

Could it be~~

You are leaving~

You are leaving me, too~~

Did my wife ask them to catch me or something?.

Kill him! Kill Yim Sa Hong! (Yim Sa Hong instigated King Yeonsan by telling him about how his mother was killed)

Yim Sa Hong? Kill Yim Sa Hong?

You can't!

It must be treason! My money!

I still haven't received his payment for the alcohol.

Yim Sa Hong, pay me for my drinks!

[The reforming party successfully enthroned Prince Jinsung, who is known as King Jungjong.]

[The reforming party successfully enthroned Prince Jinsung, who is known as King Jungjong.]

Wait...

All the armed forces was holding up the swords and Yim Sa Hong unsheathed his sword like this.

So I ran up to him and yelled, "Traitor Sa-Hong, receive my sword!"

And then what, Father?

Hey, I'm someone who can kill a bear with my own hands and pull out a gallbladder.

Do you think I'd be afraid of a little sword?

So Father, did you avoid the blade?

Not just get out of the way, but I threw...

Finally, it has come.

I'll be recognized as the number one contributor (for the new regime).

Is this the residence of Chef Kang Duk Goo?

Yes, I'm Kang Duk Goo.

Is there a girl named Jang Geum here?

What...

Yes, but...

Are you Jang Geum?

Yes.

You want to be a palace girl?

Huh? Yes.

Pack up. Let's go to the palace.

Jang Geum, if you don't want to go tell me and I'll try to get you out.

Since he's a royal chef he knows many Court Ladies in the palace.

I want to go.

Hey, if you go there you can't be married for life and...

She says she wants to go!

Even so, to someone who doesn't hear well...

Anyway, if you enter the palace we won't be able to support you.

If you become a palace maid you have to present different clothing for each season

and you have to bring food for the Court Ladies,

but don't ever expect such things from me.

- Hey! - Mother!

Why are you yelling at me?

She never mentioned anything to us! I am offended.

If you want to go, then leave quickly and don't make me more upset.

Please receive my obeisance.

We must leave now.

Who are you?

I came to ask a question.

Let's leave now.

Look at her...

This is why you shouldn't accept any living thing into your family, whether it be a baby person or a baby cow.

Do you really have to go?

The palace is a scary place, don't go there, Jang Geum.

-How dare you say that! -(Mouthing) See! she is scary!

We're running late. Let's hurry.

So she's leaving...

When did you take her in. Could it be about 2 years ago?

You want to know?

Yes.

Then pay up.

Huh?

If you really want to know then pay about 100 nyang.

Didn't she come here with a woman who had an injury on her side about 2 years ago?

What? With ... with a woman?

NO!

Go get water now! I told you we shouldn't take her in.

Who's going to do all the work now? And who's going to rub my back?

Get going right now!

It's wasn't my idea to take her in...

Let's go.

Now we'll test your virginity. Go ahead and start.

What is your name?

My name is Han Kwan Duk.

Roll up your sleeve.

A fairy of Mt. Tai Shan in China violated the rules

and fell in love with a general.

As a punishment she couldn't say any words of her own, but only repeat what others said.

One day she saw a soldier plotting to kill the general.

When she lured the soldier to some place to kill him,

they were caught by the general who was passing by.

The soldier lied to the general saying she had been seducing him and the fairy who couldn't speak her own words

The officer lied to the general saying she had been seducing him and the fairy who couldn't speak her own words

had no choice but to repeat what the soldier had said.

The angry general cut her throat. Her spirit became a parrot.

Her spirit became a parrot and for that reason the blood of a parrot has been used

to test the virginity in the Chinese Imperial Household.

You'll be rejected if the blood flows down

for it means you aren't a virgin.

I'm sorry, Madam I accidentally moved and touched her arm.

Do it again.

Yes, madam.

Okay.

Now we'll head to the palace so get things ready.

♪ Would you come, would you come, would you be coming? ♪

♪ Would you go, would you go, would you be going? ♪

♪ I wait, I wait, but we cannot play. ♪

♪ We cannot, we cannot, no, we cannot be. ♪

♪ Eh hey ya, eh hey ya, Nananiyo ♪

There's the King! Where? Where?

Over there!

Be quiet! Where do you think this place is that you dare to make noise here.

Mother! I'm in the palace. I've finally come into the palace.

I'll be the palace girl in this place where you were.

This is the palace. All women who enter the palace are the King's women.

We don't allow anything less than perfection both in conduct and speech.

Learn everything well and be great palace ladies.

All rise!

You don't automatically become an apprentice palace girl just by entering the palace.

You will have rigorous training early every morning for the next 15 days,

and on the 15th day, you'll be assigned to your quarters.

Of course, if you don't learn well you'll be cast out of the palace. Prepare you hearts firmly.

You'll each sleep in the rooms assigned by the palace girls today.

Stop wiping the floor and spread the blankets.

This is crooked over here! Put the pillows over there!

I told you to hurry up and spread it, what are you doing?! Put the pillows over here!

It's crooked over there! Straighten it properly!

Aish, really!

Just what is this? It's filthy!

Give it back to me. Come on.

How filthy!

Come on.

You come over here and you go over there.

How irritating ... Just what is this...?

You and you there sleep over there by the door, and I'll sleep on this warm side.

Whose is this?

It's mine.

Why did you bring it back? Throw it away quickly!

Who are you?

Me? I'm Young Ro.

Why throw away others' stuff?

Right.

Why designate others' sleeping places?

Right.

Because I think I'm the oldest here and...

If you're the older one, we ought to choose the drafty spot and

Iet the younger ones have the warm side.

That's right. And you make us do all the work.

That's right! That's right!

[Goong Joong Yeo Kwan]

How do you read this?

It reads "Goong-joong-yeo-kwan".

What does it mean?

It could mean a woman with an official position in the palace.

That's right. This is the official title for a court lady.

A court lady is a lady official of the government.

Therefore, in order to fulfill your duties, you must have

basic knowledge and keep your rank with dignity.

You must serve the superiors without one mistake and by following the law,

and you cannot lose your dignity to people of lower rank.

You're young,

but you can be 5th class court ladies. You've been selected from middle and upper class families.

Therefore, in identity, you're distinct from the servant girls from the low class

and the nurses who are chosen from the slave girls.

You must display dignity to them.

Drag her out!

- Why? What are you doing? - Hurry and get her out!

How dare you when you're from the peasant class with no roots!

Why do I don't I have my roots?!

Weren't you adopted by the liquor place. My uncle told me.

You know him too, don't you? He's a guard of the main palace

and he owns a gisaeng house, Sir Yoon Mak Ke.

I don't know how your kind got into this palace

but I can't sleep in the same room with you!

Open the door! Open the door! Open the door! Open the door!

Low born ones like you should stay outside and keep watch while we sleep.

I'm not low born!

Then who are your father and mother? What do they do?

My father is...

You must not tell anyone I was a military officer.

And my mother is...

I was a court lady in the Royal Kitchen...

They aren't low born.

You heard it too, didn't you? Court ladies...

are selected from the middle or high class.

I wonder how that low born thing came in here.

I don't know how she learned her letters but how she even boasts and acts so uppity about knowing how to read.

Why don't you listen to your mother's words?

Mother always tells me not to do the things I want to do.

You like learning the letters that much?

Yes, Father! I'm truly amazed that I can write the sky that I see with the shape of the clouds.

Look. How could you write "black" like this?

Isn't it amazing?

Jang Geum, do you really want to learn the characters?

Yes.

I'll start teaching you tomorrow, so stop going to the school.

Jang Geum, don't be sad.

Mother.

Don't cry and don't give up easily.

Jang Geum, become the Head Court Lady of the Royal Kitchen

and write down my grievances in the secret document that's passed down only to the Head Court Lady of the Royal Kitchen.

If you do enter the palace, you can find my recipe list hidden in the main middle kitchen.

Look at it when you need it.

You'll find my breath there.

Turtle, turtle, now stop my mother from being sick anymore.

Jang Geum!

Hi, Yeon Saeng.

Where are you going?.

The middle kitchen.

The middle kitchen? Where is that?

I heard it's at the King's main palace.

Main palace?

Yeah.

We were told to stay in here.

Yes, but I must go.

You can't. You'll get into trouble. You shouldn't do this.

Why don't you go back inside?

No! I won't go back inside by myself.

I'll go back inside with you.

I'm going.

Jang Geum!

Let's go back. We came too far.

Who's there?

Tiger!

Jang Geum, there must be a tiger...

No, it's all right.

-Ack! -Who's there?

It was only a cat. Let's go.

How can you be in front of King's quarters at this time?

How about you?

It's all ruined because of you.

Ruined what?

The last farewell.

The last farewell?

I had a crush on a guy who is here since I lived at home.

You're crazy.

He passed the Sama Exam at the age of 16.

So?

I liked that person but the adults in my family forced me to become a lady of the court.

You know this too ... that a court lady is the King's lady,

and he had the highest score on the Sengjin Exam today

so he's meeting with the His Majesty.

So I realized today that he isn't someone I should keep in my heart.

He's a yangban (high class) and I'm from the middle class.

He's a servant of the King, and I'm the King's woman.

So I was making my farewells, but you ruined it.

Then do it again.

We'll be on the watch for you.

Not me... not me...

Will you really do that for me?

Thank you.

You know this is a secret, right?

Of course!

No... no...

Just follow me.

[Middle kitchen]

What are you going to find in the dark?

If we wait a little, we'll be able to see...

I can't see anything.

Just wait.

You can see a little now, right?

It should be somewhere...

- Ouch! - Yeon Saeng! Yeon Saeng!

Who are you? Get the lamp closer to them.

What are you doing here?

- Oh, no! - Madam, the King's night snack...

What shall we do now? When Head Court Lady finds out about this

our lives won't be spared.

Head Court Lady isn't the problem now, soon eunuchs will be coming

and the head of food services, and the Chief Court Lady... we're dead!

What are we going to do?

And tonight's snack was the precious milk porridge too.

Be quiet! The Middle Kitchen isn't a place that we can make food in,

since there are no ingredients go see if the Royal Kitchen doors are open and bring any ingredients that are available.

But, we don't have time...

Hurry...

Yes.

Was the door open?

No, it's locked.

All I could find were these at the apprentice palace maids' work area.

Ginger and lotus roots?

Yes, someone must've forgotten to take these after peeling them.

How could we make snacks with these? We're dead now.

I was right next-door and I wasn't even aware the kids came here.

Peel them.

What?

Hurry and peel the ginger.

Sure.

You girls, come over here. Here.

Peel the ginger quickly.