Original subtitles

‎Madam! Come take a look!

‎-You won't find it cheaper! ‎-Best you'll find, I tell you.

‎Master.

‎Welcome, madam.

‎I mean, Master.

‎The weather is quite warm.

‎I find myself rather damp.

‎Shall we begin?

‎Can a painting truly capture it all?

‎I am rendering it as soft and smooth

‎as a freshly boiled egg, ‎peeled just moments ago.

‎Rather than me,

‎be sure to capture him well.

‎What sort of man is he?

‎A man blessed beyond measure ‎below the waist.

‎As you well know,

‎that is not something ‎one acquires through practice.

‎It is something one is born with, ‎as is everything in this world.

‎He was abundantly blessed, that one.

‎But his blessings did not end there.

‎The tip of his tongue…

‎was as smooth as silk.

‎And those great hands…

‎Just thinking of them ‎makes me tingle down below.

‎Be sure to capture ‎the look on my face right now.

‎Do not concern yourself with that.

‎Keep going. Do not stop.

‎It feels as though ‎he is beginning to move.

‎My hand moves of its own accord,

‎as though possessed.

‎Who on earth is this man?

‎If he's so generous with his blessings,

‎I'd like to meet him myself.

‎I'm afraid that will be difficult.

‎Why?

‎Because I may soon make him rue the day.

‎How dare he trifle with my only daughter?

‎What a scoundrel.

‎Would you like me to step in?

‎If you wish, I could meet him myself ‎and teach him a lesson.

‎THE SCANDAL

‎You have been upset

‎because I never sent word ‎after that day, have you not?

‎I would be lying if I said I was not.

‎But I never meant to deceive you.

‎I simply found myself ‎growing more and more fond of you.

‎I have done a great deal of thinking.

‎You lied to me,

‎and I was betrayed.

‎I could not forgive you ‎without a second thought.

‎But when I heard ‎that my sister-in-law had passed,

‎you were the first person ‎who came to mind.

‎I realized I did not want to lose you.

‎However,

‎I cannot be an unfilial son.

‎Since my brother passed,

‎my mother has placed all her hopes in me.

‎Compared to my brother,

‎I cannot measure up.

‎But she still believes in me.

‎I cannot fail her.

‎I am sorry.

‎You are lying.

‎-You simply dislike me. ‎-No.

‎That is not true.

‎I…

‎I do not dislike you.

‎I…

‎What happened to your face?

‎Did you run into something?

‎I…

‎Surely no one would have hit you.

‎Well…

‎I was taught this is how it is done.

‎Miss.

‎What have you been learning?

‎-Did you not like it? ‎-No.

‎I liked it.

‎Young master, ‎we shall see each other again, right?

‎Of course.

‎Eun-sil, was it?

‎Yes, madam.

‎Eun-sil, dear.

‎Young master.

‎Over here.

‎Here.

‎Young… Young master.

‎What are you doing here so late?

‎I was gathering my lady's clothes.

‎Even if they're to be burned,

‎she should at least be dressed ‎in clean clothes when she goes,

‎so I mean to wash them.

‎And these?

‎Mrs. Ganghwa told me to throw them away.

‎You seem busy.

‎I must keep busy.

‎Good night, sir.

‎Keep your mouth shut. Understood?

‎Madam.

‎Thank you.

‎If you are so curious,

‎why don't you come inside?

‎No, I couldn't.

‎Good night, my lady.

‎Catholicism.

‎Here, have a look at this.

‎Her Highness will be ‎seated here in the center,

‎and we will fill this space ‎with musicians and dancers.

‎Just look at this clear view.

‎Surely she will be pleased, ‎wouldn't you say?

‎Yes, I am certain she will.

‎Of course, the banquet itself is ‎what matters most.

‎Whenever I think about it, ‎it gives me quite the headache.

‎I know that is false modesty.

‎Your talents have always been exceptional.

‎Why else would you have been sent here?

‎If only His Majesty thought so too.

‎By the way…

‎-Yes? ‎-Given how busy you are,

‎I doubt you summoned me ‎all the way here just to show me this.

‎Right.

‎A royal decree has arrived for you.

‎Well…

‎To be honest, there is something ‎I have long wondered about.

‎It is not that I look down on you.

‎It is just…

‎I mean, everyone knows ‎the sort of things you write.

‎They ought to incur His Majesty's wrath,

‎yet somehow ‎you still receive royal summons.

‎How on earth did you ‎come to stand at His Majesty's side?

‎I do not stand at his side.

‎I am merely

‎being punished there.

‎You have returned.

‎Did your business go well?

‎I'm sorry I'm late.

‎I meant to wait up for you.

‎Forgive me.

‎You must have been quite exhausted.

‎You were snoring.

‎Snoring?

‎That cannot be.

‎Do not be embarrassed.

‎Even if thunder rolled from your nose…

‎in my eyes,

‎neither Yang Guifei nor Xi Shi

‎could compare to you.

‎Please do not jest so.

‎I am not jesting.

‎I mean it.

‎Rest easy.

‎I shall retire to the outer quarters.

‎What a state for a lady's face.

‎I thought you knew proper script.

‎Why are you writing in vernacular script?

‎I know it all too well. ‎That is why I feign ignorance,

‎lest it cause trouble.

‎Can knowing too much ever cause trouble?

‎It is a petition ‎to be submitted to His Majesty.

‎It ought to be written this way.

‎To His Majesty?

‎The Left State Councilor's wife asked me

‎to submit a petition for her.

‎How admirable.

‎You are truly ‎the finest woman in all Joseon.

‎Spare me the flattery.

‎Could even a flower in full bloom

‎have been as fair as she?

‎She looked ever so serene

‎when she arrived in a white palanquin, ‎clad in mourning robes

‎before she had worn her bridal silks.

‎Longing for the husband ‎she had never even met,

‎she devoted herself wholly ‎to virtue and filial piety.

‎At times, I could not help but pity her.

‎Lady Cho.

‎Yet as a fellow woman,

‎I believe her virtue deserves ‎to be honored and made known.

‎Thus, in the hope that she may serve ‎as an example to all women,

‎I humbly submit this petition, ‎though I have no ties to her

‎either by blood or by marriage.

‎Did you pressure her into it?

‎Pardon?

‎Whatever are you talking about?

‎Did you not ask Yoo's wife

‎to petition for Hui-yeon ‎to be recognized as a virtuous woman?

‎Is there anyone in Hanyang ‎who does not know her reputation

‎for wisdom and virtue?

‎I merely thought that ‎if she could be of some help,

‎I should…

‎I did not do it for myself.

‎I did it for this family.

‎Since Geum-ho died,

‎what is left

‎of this family?

‎My lady!

‎We did not lose only Geum-ho.

‎We lost the pillar…

‎of this family.

‎If Your Lordship ‎will not step in, then I shall.

‎Is that not the only way ‎to ease Geum-ho's grievance?

‎The one with a grievance is you,

‎not Geum-ho.

‎We have yet to recover Hui-yeon's body.

‎Show some restraint!

‎Geum-ho…

‎keeps appearing in my dreams.

‎My son comes to me

‎and weeps his heart out.

‎He does not say anything.

‎He only weeps.

‎Should we not at least raise ‎a Memorial Gate for his wife's virtue?

‎It is the only thing

‎I can do for my son, my lord.

‎My lady.

‎Father, it is I.

‎What is it?

‎Has something happened?

‎What is that in your hand?

‎I found it in Hui-yeon's quarters.

‎INTRODUCTION ‎TO ESSENTIAL CATHOLIC TEACHINGS

‎It's a book on Catholicism.

‎Do you truly mean to tell me

‎you did not know Hui-yeon was a Catholic?

‎I didn't know!

‎I really don't know anything!

‎Mrs. Ganghwa.

‎Yes, madam.

‎I care not if she can never walk again.

‎Beat her until she opens her mouth!

‎Yes, madam.

‎Madam!

‎Madam, it's true!

‎I cannot tell you what I don't know!

‎Fine.

‎Then let me change the question.

‎What was it that ‎you carried out of her room?

‎Pardon?

‎The more you lie, ‎the more beatings you will earn.

‎Tell the truth.

‎Well, those were…

‎You seem reluctant to answer.

‎I'll tell you!

‎I can tell you!

‎They were…

‎They were letters…

‎Lord Cho Won sent her.

‎Cho Won?

‎You mean Minister Yoo's brother-in-law?

‎Letters?

‎Mrs. Ganghwa.

‎Yes, madam.

‎Go fetch every cane in the house.

‎I have a feeling ‎there's much more to hear from this one.

‎Oh…

‎Oh, dear.

‎Madam, please spare me!

‎I didn't do it because I wanted to!

‎Minister Yoo's wife ordered me to,

‎and I had no choice!

‎I'm telling you the truth.

‎Who…

‎Who ordered you?

‎Minister Yoo's…

‎wife.

‎Who does that man look like to you?

‎Hard to say.

‎It cannot be,

‎but is it Lord Cho Won?

‎Good.

‎That will do.

‎I got my money's worth.

‎There was a man

‎who went about scolding women's ‎secret places with his great hands.

‎They say more than a few women ‎soaked their undergarments because of him.

‎Was his pounding truly so remarkable?

‎And just then,

‎there happens to be a woman of Bukchon ‎who has not been seen of late.

‎Perhaps she sits across from that man,

‎legs spread and breath coming fast.

‎Where might that woman be?

‎-Be sure the man looks exactly the same. ‎-Yes, ma'am.

‎Take particular care with the man.

‎-Yes, sir. ‎-Yes, sir.

‎Good.

‎Madam! Where are you?

‎I'm here!

‎It has spread beyond Bukchon ‎to Jungchon and Namchon as well.

‎The problem is that the rumors ‎are taking a rather strange turn.

‎The timing is just too perfect.

‎The Left State Councilor's ‎daughter-in-law…

‎There was a man…

‎"Come visit me once."

‎-…who went about scolding women's… ‎-"And scold this

‎drenched little thing of mine."

‎Your Ladyship.

‎It is too scandalous to repeat.

‎Madam.

‎There you are.

‎Hello, madam.

‎I rushed over the moment I heard--

‎We both seem to be busy, ‎so let us dispense with pleasantries.

‎Right.

‎Why did you spread those rumors?

‎Pardon?

‎What do you mean?

‎Was it my cousin you resented?

‎Or the Left State Councilor's ‎daughter-in-law?

‎If neither,

‎have I done you some grave wrong?

‎A wrong? No, madam. Of course not.

‎Then what is it?

‎Why would you do such a thing?

‎Is there something you want from me?

‎Madam.

‎I do not wish for much.

‎I only want So-ok to be ‎the young madam of this house…

‎No, I mean, a concubine ‎and live comfortably. That is all.

‎But if Lord Cho Won's visits ‎to her quarters

‎were to get her cast off,

‎would that not break her mother's heart?

‎So,

‎could you simply promise me ‎that So-ok will never be

‎turned out of this house?

‎That I have nothing to fear?

‎Please?

‎So this is blackmail.

‎And from the likes of you.

‎Mrs. Ganghwa! The palanquin is ready!

‎A merchant's nerve

‎is something else indeed.

‎Gather up every copy you have put out.

‎They must not spread ‎beyond the city gates.

‎Yes, I'll collect every one of them.

‎Every last one.

‎Leave quietly. Do not make a sound.

‎Yes, madam.

‎Let us go.

‎There is

‎something rather amusing ‎circulating in Bukchon.

‎The man described and depicted in it

‎does seem familiar.

‎But I pay it no mind, ‎so you need not worry.

‎You already told me

‎of your cousin's indiscretions after all.

‎Even if

‎those indiscretions happened to involve ‎someone in my house…

‎What good would come ‎of dredging them up now?

‎Oh,

‎of course.

‎I do find it rather galling that ‎you knew something and kept it from me.

‎But I shall not ask for an explanation.

‎Instead…

‎just see to it that what Eun-sil delivered

‎is dealt with properly.

‎One more thing.

‎I need a Memorial Gate for Hui-yeon.

‎If only you would exert yourself

‎a little more on that matter.

‎Am I asking too much?

‎Not at all.

‎This is

‎a most interesting place.

‎It doesn't hurt, right?

‎Isn't that your mistress over there?

‎Move a little closer to the side.

‎It's only a few steps,

‎yet she always insists on ‎riding in a damn palanquin.

‎Easy! I told you to move gently!

‎Sorry. Does it hurt that much?

‎What, did you think ‎it'd only hurt a little?

‎It feels like ‎my calves are being torn apart.

‎I'll move like a snake, ‎nice and smooth, all right?

‎So you won't feel a thing.

‎Nice and smooth.

‎Just hurry up. ‎If I'm late, I will only get an earful.

‎All right.

‎Silk for sale!

‎-Nice and smooth like this. ‎-Fine silk!

‎Why is there still no word

‎from the one who promised to come soon?

‎I have something to tell you,

‎so I wish you would make haste.

‎My lord, may I come in?

‎Did you make all of this yourself?

‎Mrs. Asan and I prepared it together.

‎Come and take a look!

‎I have an idea. Here.

‎Like this. Well?

‎What do you think?

‎I cannot see a thing.

‎How about now?

‎There are countless things ‎that can only be seen today.

‎Today comes but once, does it not?

‎There are many places I wish to take you.

‎This will do. There.

‎Come and have a look!

‎Buy some taffy! Fresh taffy!

‎Good sir! Have a look at this taffy!

‎Come now. It's nice and sweet!

‎My lady.

‎The stones are quite slippery.

‎Here, this should help.

‎There will come a day…

‎when I look back on this night.

‎I fear the memory may fade.

‎It frightens me terribly.

‎Are you such a coward?

‎Why do you suddenly look so sad?

‎I am so happy that…

‎somehow…

‎it makes me uneasy.

‎I want to etch into your heart

‎how much this night means to me.

‎Will you let me?

‎Etch it deeply.

‎I wish to hold on to it.

‎Are you truly going to see His Majesty?

‎Why? Do you not believe me?

‎No.

‎It's only that

‎I feel there is still so much ‎I do not know about you.

‎I shall be back before you go to sleep.

‎Nothing will happen.

‎I have agreed to go work with her.

‎It seems safer to go with her

‎than to stay here alone all day.

‎When you say work, do you mean farm work?

‎It's all right.

‎As you said, nothing will happen.

‎Even so, how could you…

‎I'll be with her the whole time.

‎I won't let her do any hard work,

‎so just be on your way, young master.

‎Come now. If you're to be back ‎before she goes to sleep, you must hurry.

‎Wait, my lord!

‎Well, I…

‎I have pressed my heart into these words.

‎Please keep them close.

‎Then can you write

‎a heartfelt account ‎of the sound of that widow's door opening

‎after 20 long years?

‎Can you prove it to me in writing?

‎I will be back.

‎I was cutting away like this,

‎then I ran out of strength

‎and fell right on my bum!

‎You have arrived in good time.

‎At Your Majesty's command,

‎I, Cho Won, have come from Hwaseong.

‎I received your reply ‎to my secret directive.

‎So,

‎the construction ‎is progressing swiftly in practice?

‎It is, Your Majesty.

‎Most notably, the craftsmen's productivity

‎has risen considerably.

‎I suspect that since wages are now paid ‎according to ability,

‎they take pride in that distinction alone.

‎And I trust it may also serve

‎as motivation ‎for those beneath them to strive harder?

‎Indeed.

‎I believe the work may well be completed

‎years ahead of the original schedule.

‎Provided the high officials ‎do not stir up any trouble.

‎Now,

‎I summoned you in such haste ‎for another matter.

‎The Left State Councilor's daughter-in-law

‎returned to her hometown ‎and passed away there.

‎They have yet to find her body, ‎as no one knows exactly where she died.

‎I wish to commend her filial devotion,

‎but the fellow insists he will not have it ‎unless the body is found.

‎How am I to overrule such stubbornness?

‎I hear her hometown lies ‎near the construction site in Hwaseong.

‎Do you think ‎you could search for her remains?

‎As you command, Your Majesty.

‎-Goodness. ‎-There.

‎Look, go have something to drink ‎and rest a spell.

‎All right? Go on.

‎I will be back in a moment.

‎All right.

‎A bumper harvest!

‎-It has ripened beautifully! ‎-Indeed!

‎Hui-yeon!

‎Hui-yeon!

‎Hui-yeon.

‎Hui-yeon. It is I, In-ho.

‎You are alive?

‎In-ho.

‎How is it

‎that you are here?

‎I was on my way to see Master Cho Won.

‎But if you are here, then I…

‎In-ho.

‎In-ho.

‎In-ho!

‎What brings you here at this hour?

‎Madam, have you heard?

‎About the Lady of the First Rank's ‎daughter-in-law.

‎They say her body has yet to be found.

‎My husband may be over the hill,

‎but news reaches him ‎quickly enough, you see.

‎I hear His Majesty

‎ordered someone to find the body today.

‎Your cousin, Cho Won.

‎What are you doing out here?

‎Young master.

‎You are home late.

‎Subtitle translation by: Yoonjung Song