Original subtitles

‎Bun-hong.

‎Yes, madam.

‎Where is Yun?

‎Well…

‎The thing is…

‎Thank you all for your trouble today.

‎Won, you have grown into a fine young man.

‎Thank you, Uncle.

‎I trust you have been well.

‎Indeed. Look at you, ‎you have come along admirably!

‎Won.

‎I have set aside a new weasel-hair brush ‎made from black bamboo for the elder.

‎Would you go ‎to the study annex and fetch it?

‎That will do.

‎Yes, certainly.

‎You are not meant to come in here.

‎I might say the same of you.

‎How dare a young woman ‎behave as such in my uncle's study annex?

‎Won, it is you.

‎Cousin Yun?

‎You have grown into quite the man.

‎I almost did not recognize you.

‎Good heavens! The brush!

‎Uncle sent me to fetch it!

‎How could you have used it?

‎It is a brush, ‎meant to be used by someone in time.

‎What matter is it?

‎He laughed so heartily ‎it quite took me aback.

‎He has brought it.

‎Is that the brush?

‎Won, did you use the brush?

‎Surely he would not be so ill-mannered.

‎Won, speak for yourself.

‎But that is not…

‎Well, let us see

‎what Won has written here.

‎My word, did you truly write this?

‎I would like to see it as well.

‎Goodness, brother. Do take a look.

‎Here it is.

‎Well, well, the boy shows promise.

‎Expound the virtues that make tobacco ‎The southern sacred herb

‎A loyal subject

‎As the topic is set

‎The examination hall ‎Becomes quite a spectacle

‎Now, whose son might this be?

‎He has studied remarkably well

‎I owe him for this handsome pay

‎So what choice have I but to sing as bid?

‎May you achieve top honors ‎In the civil service exam

‎-Sir. ‎-‎Well, well

‎-‎One slips a few coins to the examiner ‎-A small token.

‎Another takes measure of the room

‎Still the neck stiffens, the head throbs

‎Buy a discarded script if you will ‎What use is it?

‎-‎This scholar copies on the sly ‎-Get him out of here!

‎That one does not even trouble to hide it

‎-No, sir! ‎-You even copied his name.

‎And that poor fellow ‎With neither wit nor luck

‎Finds himself cast out of the hall

‎When the hall is in an uproar

‎At so strange a topic

‎There he is, like a crane just alighted

‎With calm eyes

‎And a faint smile upon his lips

‎His strokes

‎Supple yet forceful

‎Soar like a black dragon

‎To the blue clouds

‎Well, well

‎Here he is

‎Top honors in the civil service exam ‎The garlanded victor

‎Here he is

‎I was beside myself ‎with worry for that boy,

‎studying under his taciturn father.

‎Won.

‎Surely you have ‎at least one literary friend?

‎A friend with whom

‎you exchange letters ‎and share a friendship through words.

‎We will bring the table in.

‎I am sure he has many.

‎A lad so keen. ‎If he has no literary friends,

‎that would be his father's fault, ‎would it not?

‎My apologies. I…

‎His brilliance shone ‎in the initial examination as well.

‎Who could have foreseen ‎a question on the virtues of tobacco?

‎Indeed.

‎Won, let us hear your answer.

‎With tobacco's bitter scent ‎filling the mouth,

‎one cannot utter what one would.

‎Resentment rises,

‎yet before it gathers, ‎one exhales it with the smoke,

‎letting it speak in one's stead.

‎None hear it,

‎thus one walks the path ‎of a loyal subject.

‎Absolutely flawless, is it not?

‎In the palace examination,

‎we may well expect him to take top honors.

‎I owe it to my most worthy ‎and learned literary friend.

‎You imprudent boy!

‎How can you credit your own brilliance ‎to your literary friend?

‎Were they so remarkable, ‎their names would long since be known.

‎Precisely.

‎Have I ever been given the chance ‎for my name to be known?

‎Seeing this, it is plain ‎Won takes after his father.

‎The entire family's hopes ‎seem to rest on you.

‎It is all thanks to you.

‎It is by your guidance

‎that I have learned ‎and come to know so much.

‎Miss Yun! Where are you?

‎Your mother is looking for you!

‎No, you already had plenty of talent.

‎I simply helped you see it.

‎Did I not tell you to stay ‎by Yun's side at all times?

‎My apologies, madam.

‎She disappeared all of a sudden.

‎THE SCANDAL

‎They're honored to have their daughter ‎taken to carry on your line,

‎but hearing she'd learn ‎letters and painting

‎under so virtuous a lady as yourself,

‎the mother seemed ready ‎to come along herself.

‎As I said,

‎of the two daughters, the elder ‎resembles her father and is well-bred,

‎but the younger takes after her mother ‎and only has a knack for trade.

‎So it is the elder you should see.

‎Silk for sale!

‎Look at them, on all fours!

‎Fine Qing silk!

‎Ours is just the same! Madam, this way!

‎We are most honored ‎you have come in person.

‎I never thought ‎I'd have the honor of meeting you.

‎Are all these the tobacco you sell?

‎Oh, no, madam.

‎The finer leaves ‎for esteemed guests are kept aside.

‎These are rough and damp, ‎so I've gathered them separately,

‎soon to be sent to Hwaseong.

‎Hwaseong?

‎They say His Majesty ‎is undertaking something there,

‎and laborers from across the country ‎have gathered.

‎And when such men gather,

‎what else would they do ‎but puff away like chimneys?

‎What was that fancy phrase again?

‎Kill two birds with one stone.

‎Skilled two birds with a tone.

‎Madam, let me escort you inside.

‎Yes, madam. ‎This way to the inner quarters, please.

‎As expected, you recognize it at once.

‎It's quite worth the expense…

‎I mean, I can hardly contain my joy.

‎It is one of Shin Saimdang's ‎plant-and-insect paintings.

‎Is it not truly exquisite?

‎Madam.

‎Since it seems to interest you, ‎there is something I would dare show you.

‎Would you care to take a look?

‎Might this be

‎a work by Master Danwon?

‎Yes, indeed!

‎I have heard much ‎of your discerning eye for art,

‎but to have you know it at once,

‎I hardly know where to place myself.

‎I look better in the flesh, do I not?

‎No?

‎How is she?

‎Well,

‎she will likely ‎have difficulty conceiving.

‎Thank you.

‎Sure.

‎Oh, whatever do you mean?

‎The house shows uncommon taste throughout.

‎Thank you.

‎It is not merely a display of rare things.

‎The harmony of its splendor ‎is a feast for the eyes.

‎I found it most enjoyable.

‎Yes, well…

‎Lowly as I am, ‎when I see something of value,

‎I cannot rest till I have it in my hands.

‎Would you like Saimdang's painting?

‎If you wish, I will offer it as a gift.

‎Or shall I summon Master Danwon himself?

‎It would have been a fine match,

‎yet it seems beyond our reach ‎to make such a tie.

‎Mother, I shall bring in the refreshments.

‎Well, these are ‎juak‎.

‎Please enjoy, madam.

‎What's the matter?

‎They are really good.

‎What?

‎What…

‎Damn you.

‎It really is good.

‎This time…

‎There. I will place it here.

‎What do you think?

‎Let me see.

‎He was playing until a moment ago,

‎yet he fell asleep before his turn came.

‎I tell you,

‎he will be the greatest man in our family.

‎It has already been six days.

‎It is time your nephew returned home.

‎Let him stay for four more days.

‎A full ten days, ‎then I shall have less regret.

‎Do you like him that much?

‎Is it not remarkable?

‎Only a few years ago, ‎he would toss these stones about in play.

‎Now,

‎he has become a most worthy opponent.

‎There.

‎Your arms.

‎You look absolutely lovely.

‎When you get there, do nothing else.

‎All right.

‎Stand where the lord cannot miss you

‎and simply say, ‎"I have brought a gift for the lady."

‎And look at him

‎like this.

‎Like this.

‎Try it.

‎Like…

‎Like this?

‎Good! That's it!

‎Well, who…

‎Who are you?

‎Well, my lord.

‎My lady, she…

‎My mother told me to deliver this.

‎She said it must be given today,

‎so I have come in person.

‎Soaked to the bone.

‎How unseemly.

‎Your mother sent you out in the rain

‎without even an overcoat?

‎Warm yourself, ‎and return home when the sun is up.

‎And tell your mother

‎that I commend her wit,

‎but she has presumed too far.

‎Gye-hwa, bring her dry clothes ‎and some hot water.

‎Yes, madam.

‎What a vulgar family.

‎To send such a young girl out ‎for some trifling gift.

‎If she gets through the day, ‎she should be fine.

‎It weighs on me ‎to see her laid up like this

‎when she has come as a guest.

‎See to her medicine with care.

‎Yes, my lord.

‎Has she had anything to eat?

‎Yes, the madam ‎had porridge prepared for her.

‎Porridge alone ‎will not do for one so young.

‎-Here, take this. ‎-Yes, sir.

‎Thank you, my lord.

‎That patch over there has sunk again.

‎Give it some water.

‎Madam, it is Gye-hwa.

‎Pardon the intrusion.

‎What is that now?

‎It was sent by the Lady of the First Rank, ‎wife of the Left State Councilor.

‎They said it's velvet antler.

‎It seems the Lady of the First Rank ‎has something to say to me.

‎Find a fitting gift in return.

‎If she calls for me, I must go.

‎Why has it been so long ‎since you last came?

‎I was near beside myself with loneliness.

‎Forgive me. I should have visited sooner.

‎You have been well, I trust?

‎I have.

‎But you have not, I hear.

‎My, my.

‎How broad-minded you are, like a man.

‎Why ever would you seek out ‎a concubine yourself?

‎You know how thin Bukchon's walls are.

‎Nothing stays hidden for long.

‎So,

‎when will you bring her in?

‎I am still searching.

‎I cannot bring just anyone in,

‎so there is much to consider.

‎Not long ago,

‎Lord Yoo presented my husband

‎a great quantity of fine tobacco.

‎I thought the Left State Councilor ‎has given up smoking.

‎Do you

‎truly know nothing of this?

‎What do you mean?

‎The concubine.

‎Has it not already been decided?

‎Where else would ‎such fine tobacco come from?

‎From Haryanggyo, surely.

‎It seems Lord Yoo

‎has already visited dozens of times.

‎Isn't that why you were planning

‎to take in that Tobacco Shop girl ‎as his concubine?

‎Make way!

‎-What is all that, my lady? ‎-Make way!

‎Oh, good heavens.

‎Anyone would think

‎those were betrothal gifts for a wedding.

‎-It pays to be of noble blood. ‎-Indeed.

‎Look at all the curious things ‎he received.

‎Where did it all come from, the Qing?

‎Watch it, the lady might hear you.

‎Whoa, whoa.

‎Put your back into it.

‎All right, over here!

‎What's the matter?

‎Handle them carefully.

‎Careful, it's valuable.

‎Madam.

‎Madam!

‎I thought I made myself clear. ‎You were never to set foot here.

‎So what is all this?

‎Forgive me, madam.

‎I did hear your words.

‎But being an ignorant woman, ‎I knew no other way

‎and came nonetheless.

‎I have no grounds to accept these.

‎Take them all back with you.

‎Madam!

‎-Gye-hwa, send her away at once. ‎-Yes, ma'am.

‎-Please-- ‎-Madam!

‎I understand your anger, madam.

‎How could I not?

‎I am a woman too.

‎What?

‎Madam, I shall never forget

‎your kindness in taking my daughter in, ‎not till the day I die.

‎Had you not taken her under your wing,

‎His Lordship would not have come to take

‎my So-ok as his concubine.

‎If it please you, set the date yourself.

‎Until then, I will see that ‎my girl is properly taught.

‎I am most grateful, madam.

‎All right, then. Like this.

‎Let me try now.

‎-Like this. ‎-Oh, don't move, my lord!

‎All right, all right. Try it like this.

‎-Please do it again. ‎-Very well.

‎Try to do it properly this time. Here.

‎Let me see…

‎The lady of the Tobacco Shop came by.

‎It seems she came unannounced, ‎rather impertinently.

‎You must have been quite surprised.

‎Did you

‎find that girl to your liking?

‎My lady.

‎I told you I had no wish for it,

‎but you would not relent.

‎I only felt sorry ‎to leave the burden to you alone.

‎A concubine is no great matter,

‎so I thought ‎someone like her would suffice.

‎Madam, a gift has arrived ‎from the Chief Royal Secretary's house.

‎Well, the other ladies ‎have also sent small gift boxes.

‎Shall I bring them in as well?

‎Whoa, whoa.

‎All right, down now.

‎My cousin's aunt is close ‎to that woman from the Tobacco Shop,

‎and this is what she told me.

‎The second daughter,

‎who had just come of age, ‎went to the Minister's house late at night

‎and set her sights on him.

‎-How indecent! ‎-Good heavens.

‎Some even say ‎they've already heard a baby cry.

‎The Minister's baby.

‎Before me? Surely not.

‎No, what I heard is

‎he has been having ‎an improper relationship with the mother.

‎Oh, my. Is that true?

‎Surely not.

‎The Minister of Rites would never, ‎with a woman like that.

‎Be that as it may, ‎there is already a baby, is there not?

‎But with so many eyes upon them,

‎his lady feigns generosity, as though ‎seeking him a concubine of her own accord.

‎After acting so lofty, like a crane.

‎By the by, it has been some time ‎since we sent gifts,

‎and still not a word--

‎Madam.

‎Your laughter carried ‎all the way to the inner quarters.

‎You seemed much amused by your tale.

‎Please share it with me.

‎I am most curious.

‎We had heard nothing ‎and wondered when you might arrive.

‎The fragrance is most pleasing.

‎And the weather is quite lovely.

‎Don't I look pretty?

‎Aren't I doing well? Look.

‎One, two.

‎Mal-ttong!

‎No, come here!

‎I saw that spring ‎had come in full this morning,

‎and wished to bring this to you.

‎Did you sleep well through the night?

‎My lady.

‎Cho-hui.

‎Is that a flower?

‎How lovely.

‎Did you find its petals so fair?

‎I have before me a spring far lovelier,

‎so I hardly noticed.

‎How do you speak so beautifully?

‎Such clear tears, already welling.

‎Then again, you are at an age ‎when the heart runs wild.

‎Very well. Off with you now.

‎Yes.

‎Thank you, my lady.

‎"Mun-heul."

‎That is the pen name I have given myself.

‎Like the moon ‎rising highest in the night sky,

‎I only hope that my writings,

‎which may never see the light of day,

‎might at least rise high in the darkness.

‎And so, this moment of exchanging letters ‎with you brings me comfort.

‎From now on, ‎I shall write to you under this name.

‎On that note,

‎if you are so inclined, ‎would you take the name Cho-hui?

‎It was Nanseolheon's given name.

‎On my way back from the village school,

‎a flower fell

‎and came to rest upon my hand.

‎It felt as though ‎it had been destined for me,

‎so I held it fast and brought it home.

‎I entrust my fate to you.

‎Please do not lose it.

‎My lord!

‎Lord Cho Won!

‎A letter has come!

‎I'll leave it here.

‎How is it?

‎They say the Chief State Councilor's wife ‎has a pipe near nine ‎cheok‎ long.

‎The steward says the pipe is so long

‎the maid must cross ‎to the next room just to light it.

‎"Have you put it in yet?"

‎"Yes, my lady! Keep sucking!"

‎-"How nice!" ‎-My lord!

‎MUN-HEUL

‎How nice.

‎My lord.

‎Mine has a sour taste.

‎A sharp tang that hits the throat.

‎The throat?

‎No, that won't do.

‎Is it that tang

‎that pleases you or…

‎-Is it like a maiden's first night? ‎-Or…

‎Where is it from?

‎It has been some time, ‎I should like to feel it again.

‎It's Samdeungcho.

‎I thought the men from that region ‎tasted rather sour.

‎Enough.

‎-All of you, out. ‎-Pardon?

‎Cho-hui!

‎MUN-HEUL

‎What brings this on?

‎You never eat such things, young master.

‎To my cousin, Cho Won.

‎Spring has already begun ‎to stir in Bukchon,

‎and my heart follows it.

‎I find myself missing you all the more.

‎Have you been well?

‎I must see you.

‎Please come to see me at once.

‎I can no longer bear

‎to leave this longing as it is.

‎Madam, Lord Cho Won is ‎on his way to Hanyang.

‎It seems all of Joseon has gathered here.

‎Good heavens, he will kill him!

‎-Down he goes! ‎-Damn it!

‎Won your bet? ‎Must be in high spirits! Half price!

‎Lost your bet? ‎Sweeten your mood! Half price!

‎Sweet, sticky taffy!

‎Here, buy some taffy!

‎-Get your taffy here! ‎-Buy some taffy!

‎-Get your taffy! ‎-Why such haste, ladies?

‎Come, share a drink with us.

‎Come by later.

‎Which fellow is that?

‎So? Which one?

‎This one and that ‎All sorts of lads gather here

‎Then scatter again

‎-‎This here is ‎-Hey! Clear off, you brats!

‎-‎Hanyang, the capital ‎-What are you doing back here? Go away!

‎Cross Gwangtonggyo over Cheonggyecheon

‎To the south

‎And you come to Namchon ‎Where the lowly dwell

‎Hear, hear!

‎Cross to the north

‎And you come to Bukchon ‎Where the high-born reside

‎Bukchon, what a sight it is

‎Clear the way!

‎Make way!

‎Clear the way at once!

‎Clear the way at once!

‎Palanquins bearing high officials ‎As the bearers' calls ring out

‎Animals scurry to hide

‎Birds fold their wings

‎Surely this is the finest place

‎In all of Hanyang

‎Is it not?

‎Be that as it may

‎This is Bukchon

‎I will escort you ‎to the inner quarters, my lord.

‎Madam.

‎Lord Cho Won is here.

‎Send him in.

‎The journey to Hanyang

‎seems to have taken you some time.

‎I had long stayed away, ‎thinking I ought not to come here.

‎Thus, I was unfamiliar with the road.

‎Have I kept you waiting long?

‎Have you been well?

‎With the moon rising and setting each day

‎and the flowers blooming in full ‎each passing season,

‎I have been

‎quite well indeed.

‎You are as fair

‎as ever.

‎In truth,

‎I have a favor to ask of you.

‎A favor?

‎What could it be,

‎that you would break ‎such long silence to write to me?

‎We have decided to bring in a concubine.

‎And so I ask this of you.

‎So-ok, who is to be the concubine.

‎Please see that ‎tender, young bud bears a child.

‎Pardon?

‎And if I refuse…

‎will this be the last day I see you?

‎I am always by your side.

‎Was it not you who deemed this

‎a place you must not come?

‎-Me? ‎-I hear you have spent your years

‎plucking every pretty flower ‎beyond Hanyang.

‎Then show me, this once, ‎how much you have changed.

‎The extent of your skill.

‎To display my skill on a naive girl

‎who would fall at the lightest touch…

‎She'd break at a mere breeze at that age.

‎That is why I ask you ‎to see that she bears a child.

‎The lack of a child ‎between you and your husband…

‎Is it his fault then?

‎Certainly not.

‎What fault could there be in him?

‎The fault is mine. My own lack of virtue.

‎This is how I was taught

‎a woman must behave.

‎Keep silent, bow her head, ‎and serve her husband.

‎Is that so?

‎But

‎why must it be my child?

‎Because I wish to hold…

‎a child that bears your likeness ‎in my arms.

‎The secret joy ‎of being with such a child shall be

‎the solace of my remaining years.

‎Do you still…

‎hold me…

‎in your heart?

‎Do you?

‎Is that it?

‎Subtitle translation by: Yoonjung Song