Original subtitles

[The Matchmakers]

[Production supported by] [The Ministry of Arts] [Korea Creative Content Agency]

[This is a work of fiction. Characters, places, agencies, incidents, organizations, religion, and the setting have no connections to real life.]

[Jo Young Bae / Left State Minister / Dongno Party's leader] Are there naive people who still believe Joseon is a kingdom?

[Note: a henpecked husband] Joseon is a country of nobles.

The reason is that kingship is continued through blood, not competence.

Collective intelligence is the answer to chaotic ages like ours.

[Park So Hyeon / Jo Young Bae's wife, Honorable Lady Jeonggyeong / Note: a shadow ruler]

Joseon is clearly a country of women.

A clan is like a tree that lasts hundreds of years.

So, its roots must be strong in order for it to prosper.

I believe a clan's women are what form the roots hidden underground.

Therefore, no matter the crisis, if a clan's women stand their ground,

that clan will never fall.

This is why I believe Joseon is a country of women.

[Episode 3: I think I am Ssangyeonsulsa!*] (Folktale goddess who recognizes lovers)

Hwa Rok was the youngest of the old maidens? How interesting.

I told Hwa Rok- I mean, Lady Sam Soon not to worry about anything.

But I am worried because I was wayward with that sir last time.

They must be the desperate ones since even the Chief Royal Secretary is requesting you.

Right? I am not lacking in any way, right?

Yes, that is right.

Gosh, it's so hot! You should've told me.

Has a lot of money. All right.

Tell him to come in person and buy them.

You can just hand it over to us.

Oh, this is all for your good.

I would be fine, but it might cost your life if you get involved with him.

Nothing good would come out of getting involved with him.

Madam, you should let this matchmaking go.

All the more reason to accept it.

That headstrong and crazy noble is more than likely

to marry them off to any old bachelors by force,

saying it is a royal decree, just like Lady Sam Soon said.

It's one thing if I didn't know. But I can't sit back after finding out.

I will match the old maidens.

That is the first thing you are going to say.

You can do it.

No matter how rude he speaks, just focus on Lady Sam Soon's marriage.

It's fine. Right away-

I will apologize first right away. I'm sorry about last time.

I will match the old maidens!

- However, I have conditions. - Since you agreed, the conditions-

They actually get along, and it makes me anxious.

You should sit down here and continue.

I will state my conditions since you agreed to match them.

The wedding must take place before June, and according to the King's order, you will notify me

the matchmaking process in advance so I can accompany you for each process.

Lastly, the partners must be chosen from this list.

Out of this outdated list of old bachelors?

Why is everyone saying it is outdated just from looking at the cover?

Are you saying that an outdated list of old bachelors is a list of good matches?

Hanseongbu stopped keeping track of old bachelors and maidens after Year of Black Snake.

Which means this list was created at least two years ago.

Yes, right here. Take a look right there.

Kwanhundong's Hyun Bin got married last year. His son's first birthday party was last month.

The mayor pretended to be busy when he did not even update the list of old bachelors.

The moment I get appointed, I will redo the entire system of Hanseongbu!

So the groom just has to be an old bachelor, not necessarily from this list.

Summarizing the conditions, the timeline is in two months, only the old bachelors are allowed,

and I do every step with you, Sir.

- Is that it? - That is correct.

I will tell you my condition, then.

Since I am the matchmaker, follow my matchmaking method without any objections.

What you are saying is that I have to follow your order, right?

Rather than my order, it means I will lead since I am the expert.

That is the same thing.

Is that so?

He's totally fallen for her.

The signing fee is to be paid in advance.

I heard from the Chief Royal Secretary.

One hundred nyang per person, so a total of 300 nyang.

Of that, 150 nyang is the signing fee. The rest will be paid on the day of the wedding.

I meant 100 nyang for all three with Chief Royal Secretary.

But 100 nyang per person? They are complete fools.

What is it?

Alas!

Sign the papers first!

If all the weddings do not take place by the end of May,

you will have to pay back twice the signing fee you received.

Do you understand?

I am Yeojudaek, the goddess of matchmaking.

Failure is not an option for me.

The matchmaking will begin after meeting the maidens in person.

So let us make the plans and schedules at the inn after three days.

Why is it three days later, not tomorrow?

I have a match I need to finish first.

Now, then.

Put this somewhere safe so we don't lose it.

Yes.

You will come to my house tomorrow, right?

I said I am not coming.

Yeojudaek, you are being really weird.

You went to Madam Kim's house in my place.

Is he the same as her?

Left State Minister's house is off-limits.

Are you scared of my family, by any chance?

Is it the rumor about my mother killing the oldest daughter-in-law, made it a suicide,

and received the Virtuous Woman's Memorial Gate?

You married that family's son knowing all of that?

My goodness, crazy. All of those rumors are lies.

You didn't hear the next rumor?

I did. The scary story of the madam in Left State Minister's annex.

The madam was possessed by the ghost of the oldest daughter-in-law,

banging her head against the wall to get out of the annex all day.

So, her forehead bleeds and shows the bone underneath.

Seriously. I am not even shocked anymore.

My forehead is totally fine, as you see.

Rumors are always 99 percent lies.

I need to go on a work trip to Hamgyeongdo's merchant guild soon-

You said that would be next month!

Yeojudaek, do you know how weird you are acting right now?

I don't think this is about the rumors about my family.

There's something, huh?

Are you mad?

How could you agree to go there?

Jo Young Bae-

I mean, what if you run into the Left State Minister?

He thinks I died eight years ago, so he would not even recognize me.

Making a big deal and having our keen Madam find out who I am through her reasoning or whatever...

That's scarier for me.

That sure is scary.

I don't even want to think about it.

Still, be careful!

[Dongrae, Busan] All right. This thing right here

is worth half a sack of rice.

W-What is that?

Do you know what I had to go through to get these foundations?

Whoa, you can tell how valuable they are at one glance.

Hey, hey! Do not touch them.

Just look at them. They are so valuable.

- How petty. - What do you mean, petty-

W-What are you doing right now?

Is this woman the one who made this foundation?

I got it from a gramps who makes porcelain in Gojipyeong, so I don't know.

Where is that place?

You were here.

I thought you were not coming, and I was getting worried.

Let's hurry in. Mother is waiting for you.

Mother, Peddler Yeojudaek has arrived.

You can go back to the annex now.

Mother, I would also-

If a widow converses with a merchant,

bad rumors spread unnecessarily.

Yes.

Just do as you practiced.

If you are a merchant in Hanyang,

you must know my family does not hire matchmakers for marriages.

But you insisted on matching for us, so I called you over for your courage.

At least, let me hear you out on which family he is from.

Oh, my goodness!

I asked you to break off the marriage.

How could you bring another marriage?

Breaking off a marriage with another one is the basics of matchmaking.

You just don't like the Deputy Minister's son, but you are going to marry someone, right?

Well, that is true, but...

What is this? Is there a young master you are seeing?

What the heck?

Why would I risk ruining my life by engaging in lowly dating?

True. You are at an age where you are torn between

getting married and enjoying your freedom more.

But this young master is really decent. You will regret it if you miss him.

You know I care about the looks, right?

Of course I do. This young master is handsome, even though he is good at studying.

However, he is also surprisingly kind.

This is really difficult to achieve.

Sunkyungkwan's chancellor, His Excellency Lee, wishes to marry his son and your daughter.

Wait, you're supposedly a matchmaker.

Don't you even know the chancellor is my family's political enemy?

My mother probably will not accept his son.

It looks like you do not know your mother as much as I do.

She will probably allow it.

Mother has a macroscopic perspective, just like me.

I do not think you are unaware that my family and theirs are political enemies.

Are you certain His Excellency Lee's wife was the first one to mention the marriage?

This is their son's sajudanja*. (A paper that contains a bride or groom's fortune telling.)

I can tell why everyone calls you the goddess of matchmaking.

This is my daughter's sajudanja.

Keep it a secret until the day of the wedding and

I will give you the date for the wedding after Buddha's Birthday, so stop by then.

I sometimes enjoy my naps out here.

Your father used to join me from time to time.

Your father was a difficult subject but a great friend.

Just the way you are right now.

You no longer have to worry about

the marriage of old maidens, for I hired a skillful matchmaker.

Worry? Why would I worry?

You are the one who has to worry about failing.

I am worried?

Worried...

It was decided Ye Jin will marry the oldest son of Sunkyunkwan's chancellor.

The chancellor is on the Chief Royal Secretary's side, the Namjang Party. Is he not?

That is true, but he is morally sound and knowledgeable.

So a lot of our side's young scholars also respect him.

If such a person was to become a figure on our side,

he will be a great support for Prince Jin Sung.

I am sure you would have done a great job already, Sister.

Gyeongwoonjae Prince?

Gyeongwoonjae Prince must believe appeals alone are not enough to get out of being a prince.

He seeks His Majesty's presence often these days.

He could have an ulterior motive.

So what, even if he does?

Gyeongwoonjae Prince is definitely on our side.

The most definite people will also become our biggest foes if they turn their backs.

Sister-in-law, please stop moving around. I am getting dizzy.

You are dizzy from the alcohol, not me. Stop drinking now.

She should have mentioned it by now if she is going the day after tomorrow.

Mere rain like this one would not stop her from going, right?

Which family are you matching this time to be so anxious?

Do not be surprised.

I am matching the daughters of Master Maeng from Namsan Village.

The old maidens?

Which one?

Don't tell me, is it the first one who is said to be possessed by a virgin ghost?

No, all three of them.

Daebak!

Can you really match all three?

Of course, I am the goddess of matchmaking.

For that to happen, Mother has to go to Temple Seonhwa tomorrow.

But why is she still quiet?

O-Oh, my goodness.

My, Geun Seok!

What brings you here this late at night?

Could it be you were scared of thunder when you are 12 years old?

You came to protect your mother and aunt, in case we're scared of the thunder, right?

That is correct.

But why are you standing there? Hurry up and come to Mother.

Protect, my foot. He came because he was scared.

A scholar does not fear such things as thunder.

It's okay.

Should I tell you an old story?

Yes, please.

Which story should I tell you?

I should tell you about the frightening story about the fairy and the woodcutter.

How is "The Fairy and The Woodcutter" scary?

They break up in the end.

Young Madam, Madam asks you to come over!

Yes! I guess she is leaving as planned.

A long, long time ago, a woodcutter lived deep in the mountains.

One day, he helped a deer escape a hunter's pursuit.

Mother, this is Geun Seok's mother.

You may come in.

I will be at Temple Seonhwa until Buddha's Birthday to get the date for

Ye Jin's wedding date, starting tomorrow.

- Yes, Mother. - On the second day, Kim from Mapo will be here.

Give him a total of eight mals* of rice. Seven mals for payment, and one mal for his meal. (1 mal = 8 kg)

As for seafood, take in a lot of sea cucumbers and

take in dried abalone, blue mussels, cod roe, and conches.

Take 10 yellow croakers, but check to make sure they are full of roe.

Also, take an ample amount of yeast since we need to brew peach flower liquor.

Take good care of our home while I am gone.

When you come to Temple Seonhwa on

Buddha's Birthday, dress Ye Jin and Geun Seok in new clothes.

Yes, Mother.

You, too.

I must dive into matchmaking starting tomorrow,

I'll get done with all the chores today.

- Let's go. - Let us.

Hurry up and do it!

Aigoo.

Hey, why the hell do you half-ass your jobs?

Hurry up and go.

He said it is somewhere around here.

I-Isn't that the place?

I have a terrible feeling about this.

Let's hurry up. Quickly.

Innkeeper Hong sent some people here. What should I do?

Tell them to come in.

Does he even know what geumjam* poison is? (Golden silkworm)

Poison that does not leave any trace.

You don't seem to be an interpreter.

You speak the Ming Dynasty's language well.

You must have done this work for a long time since you speak Joseon's language well.

And if I have?

I wondered if anyone had looked for geumjam poison in the past.

You have a lot of unnecessary questions for a merchant.

Are you going to buy or not?

Even if you are a merchant from the Ming Dynasty, do you know who I am-

We will buy it.

Do you want to get hurt here? Let's buy it and leave!

This is very tough to obtain.

You are a lucky one.

Why did you buy this?

The symptoms of geumjam poison in a medical book from the Ming Dynasty I read recently was

way too similar to Princess' symptom eight years ago, so I was looking into it.

Since we have it, if we analyze this poison's composition-

Your Excellency, please stop this now.

The Princess was not poisoned to death. She suddenly died from an unknown cause.

As expected, there wasn't much to prepare.

We were right not to prepare too much food, right?

Yes, how did you know our number of guests will go down all of a sudden?

Mother went to the temple.

More than half of our guests are staying only because of Mother,

so, of course, they would leave.

They probably rushed to Temple Seonhwa together,

- wondering which rope to grab. - Aigoo.

The nobles' lives are not so easy.

If Mother is not here, there are fewer guests, and I have less work to do.

Only if all 12 months of a year are like Buddha's Birthday,

being a daughter-in-law would not be so bad.

Oh, right. The Defense Minister is here.

What?

Uncle is here when Mother is not?

It was very expensive to get since it has been eight years.

Just remember, I am the one who made it possible.

By the way, I heard the Queen cooks herself, so will you feed it-

Why do you assume and rush ahead without even knowing better?

What do I not know?

It will be used on Crown Prince-

I was waiting for your talk to be over.

I wanted to ask if Uncle will stay for dinner.

Because Mother is not here.

I will be leaving soon, so I do not need dinner.

I understand.

I think she heard our talk. Will it be okay?

It does not matter.

She would not even know what we were talking about.

But still...

You should just worry about yourself.

Not a single person had a reason to poison Princess.

Sir!

W-Why are you coming from that way?

Does it matter which way I come from?

Did you come out alone today without a servant?

I have you as my servant.

Why are you laughing?

I only saw young masters and women ride donkeys.

I have never seen a full-grown scholar ride one.

My orabeoni- Anyhow, every adult I know rides horses.

That is what is called the error of hasty generalization.

Sorry?

Something that comes out of thinking your shallow experience is the universal element...

Forget it. I did not expect you to understand, so just lead the way now.

Yes, yes.

You! Are you drunk or something?

He should look ahead when riding a horse.

My gosh...

You should get on now. Gosh.

The day is hot. Perhaps we should not have left the donkey behind.

I just did not feel like bringing it, so do not worry.

Sure, sure.

It was all farmland when I went up to the peak of Mt. Mokmyeok with Orabeoni before,

but they have houses even up to this point now.

This path was so pretty back then.

It is because the incompetent mayor thoughtlessly developed random areas.

Is that so?

Shoo, shoo!

Are you scared of puppies?

I am not scared of them!

Dogs are instinctively prone to attack when you move more, so I was staying still!

Y-You don't even know anything.

My goodness. You have no idea.

What is he saying?

That's a scaredy cat for you.

Slow down a little.

How are you so energetic? My gosh...

Do we have anything to drink-

Are you okay?

I am not!

I think my ankle broke!

- Take it off. - W-Wh...

T-Take what off?

Your socks. I must look at your ankle.

It's fine.

I can just check in with the physician later- What are you doing right now?

I don't think it's broken.

I know it, too. My ankle is only sprained.

I will take care of it, so get away from me, please!

I learned how to treat sprained ankles from Orabeoni!

Oh, there.

Did it hurt that much?

You will feel better soon.

Do you think I did not know how to do that?

I was not even prepared emotionally.

How can you be so careless, even if you are an uneducated merchant?

Please get away!

Why are you so angry?

You are lashing out without a reason, just like Resentful Man.

What did you just say?

Oh, my! Gosh, I am sorry.

For comparing you with Resentful Man, Gyeongwoonjae Prince, the scumbag.

S-Scumbag?

You haven't even met Gyeongwoonjae Prince, though!

Having entered the wedding with Princess means it's been sealed.

Isn't he being a scumbag to claim the marriage void like a pathetic man would?

A scumbag. What a word choice.

- Sorry? - There is a clear class difference between you and me.

So maintain three footsteps of a distance from now on.

Sure, sure.

Do answer only once. It bothers me!

Sure! Hurry up and come.

Stop glancing over awkwardly and say what you need to say. It is bothering me a lot.

Setting up three maidens would be possible within two months,

but wouldn't having weddings too much?

For nobles, it is customary to marry off the next child six months after the older one marries.

Did you think I started without knowing that?

I will make all three of them get married on the same day at once.

Joint wedding?

Sounds great. How did you come up with that idea?

The old teachings say the oldest child needs to be married first,

but they never said they could not be married simultaneously.

So, it is not against the customs of the nobles.

More importantly, weddings are held at the bride's home.

So, a joint marriage is proper for sisters.

You are very clever in many areas, perhaps because you are an inspector.

I am a very intelligent and knowledgeable person.

This guy acts cute sometimes, just like Geun Seok.

The marriage pressuring plan you practiced is going smoothly, right?

The third maiden should have left the inn by now.

Do not worry.

[The Madam's Private Life] This is the original copy written by Hwa Rok.

Thank you.

By the way, you promised I would get to meet the author when the second volume is out.

Why are you trying to meet the author?

Many madams asked to meet with gifts in their hands.

But a scholar is a first.

In Hwa Rok's writing, the impossible always happens, contrary to your expectations,

but each one is justified, making you feel excited.

It has relieved me from my real worries,

so I wanted to express my thanks in person.

How great.

Meow!

I see!

There he comes, just in time!

Where?

You wanted to meet me?

Hwa Rok?

I also wanted to meet you, Scholar.

I heard you always buy the original copy of my books at a high price.

Could I ask you for an autograph?

Of course.

What is your name, Scholar?

My name is Jung Soon Goo.

[To Scholar Jung Soon Goo, may you always be happy. From Hwa Rok.]

Seeing your handwriting, I can tell you are really Hwa Rok.

I am arresting you for the charges of criminal manslaughter of Lee Cho Ok.

Oh, boy...

The house is too small for three couples to marry at once.

You said it was an important order from the King, but I guess you never came here.

That is what you call Tak Sang Gong Sang, right?

It is not Tak Sang Gong Sang. It is Tak Sang Gong Ron*. (Means "armchair theorizing" or "empty discussion on the table")

It was Tak Sang Gong Ron and not Tak Sang Gong Ron, I see.

Please do not use vocabulary you do not know.

You look so ignorant.

Still, I do not make the same mistake twice.

And do not smile like that. It is quite annoying.

Why is my smiling annoying...

And do not mutter, either.

I told you I am not interested in a marriage, so why did you come to my house?

Judging by her beauty, she must be the firstborn, Lady Ha Na.

I want to meet your mother and talk with her, so please let her know.

I will let her know.

As we have heard, she is firm in her desire not to marry.

There are three major lies that have existed for a long time.

That an old man wants to die quickly, that a merchant is selling an item at a loss,

and that an old maiden does not want to marry.

It is not that she does not want to marry,

but she was picky, trusting her pretty looks, and missed her chance.

How could someone called the goddess of matchmaking not know that?

That seems like a hasty generalization error.

What did you say?

I am good at comprehending things, so I learn and apply things well.

She says she will meet with you. Please come in.

Mother, a royal inspector, and a matchmaker came together.

I am unable to see.

Royal Inspector, you have something to say to me?

I came to help your unmarried daughters get married.

I will take care of preparing their partners and dowry, so you do not have to worry.

You came in vain.

My daughters are not interested in marriage

and I do not intend to force them.

What nonsense is that?

What does not make sense to you?

If a woman does not get married past a certain age, their resentment will lead to plagues.

- For example, the current drought- - It rained two days ago.

It was not enough to end this drought.

My daughters personally chose to be unmarried, so they hold no resentment.

Thus, they are not responsible for this drought.

Madam, it is the natural duty of a woman to marry a husband and have children.

May I ask why you are neglecting your daughters?

What do you mean, neglecting? I am merely respecting my daughters' wishes.

Also, I think it is more dutiful for my daughter to take care of their widowed blind mother,

rather than for them to marry and serve a stranger in their in-laws.

Now that you know my daughters do not need matchmaking, please go back.

Well, Madam-

Please see the guests out. I am tired.

Yes, Mother.

You should get up.

- Gosh, seriously. - I will not follow you out very far.

Did your mother become senile-

How could you say such an insult in front of her daughters!

You crazy bastard! Did you say my mother is senile?

The sensational badmouth seamstress, the second daughter, Maeng Du Ri.

Crazy bastard?

The Bukchon geezer?

"A man and a woman should be separated"?

Lady Sam Soon is coming. Do not misspeak.

[One day ago]

Hwa Rok is the third of the old maidens?

Goodness, look at the state of our nation, Joseon...

It is indecent that a virgin wrote an erotica novel.

But she also pretends to be a man?

She had no choice since people would not pay a fair price for a novel written by a woman.

A woman should not be writing novels in the first place.

The distinction between men and women! The duties of men and women are distinct!

So, are you saying you cannot do it?

Will you report Lady Sam Soon to Hanseongbu and cancel this wedding?

Forget it.

Marrying off Maiden Sam Soon is the

fastest way to restore the Three Bonds and Five Relationships*. (Confucianism principles)

Tell me the plan you were talking about earlier.

As expected of a nobleman, he found a reason pretty quickly.

What brings you here, Hwa Rok?

I should be asking you why you are at my house.

Pardon? Only a widow and her daughters live here.

What do you mean by your house, Scholar?

Come now! How dare you dress like a man and write a novel that mocks noble class?

I will report you to the government office right away!

Inspector, sir. It appears she did this to earn money to support her disabled mother.

Could you let it slide just this once?

If it were to be a good daughter, I would give her a chance.

What do you mean by giving her a chance?

If all three sisters actively cooperate in getting married,

I will not report her.

I will actively cooperate.

Me too...

Me too.

Great work, everyone.

Shall we try it one more time naturally?

Let us do it.

Hwa Rok. What brings you here, Hwa Rok-

Why is she not doing as practiced?

I know.

What brings you here?

Did not a short scholar with a fair face come running here?

I did not see anyone.

You did not see anyone, either, right- Where did she go?

W-Where did she go?

Why did my orabeoni come here?

I must search inside the house.

Why would he search here?

Who's there?

Madam, I am the matchmaker who came with Inspector.

I got lost, and I am about to leave now.

I am screwed.

What is it?

I was looking for the culprit who escaped to this house.

I may be blind, but there is no one else here besides that merchant.

W-Well... the thing is...

My apologies.

Did he just...

not recognize his own younger sister?

Well...

Stop this! Only women live here.

The way you are suddenly stopping me is suspicious.

What are you saying?

Even the Bukchon geezer says he did not see a fleeing man.

I did not see him either, so you should stop now.

Is something the matter?

Who are all these people?

If you want to see it that badly, check quickly and get lost!

I have checked everything I wanted.

I will go back for now. I apologize for bothering you.

I thought he was different since he was investigating the real murderer of Lee Cho Rok.

But he's just a thoughtless cog in the system, I see.

You should also stop bothering us and go back, Inspector.

Since all three daughters are here, I have something to say to you.

My sisters feel the same way I do, so do not waste your breath.

Once you hear what I have to say, you will change your mind.

Is that not so, Hwa Rok, one who was chased by an officer of Hanseongbu?

Damn.

I will go over it again.

All of you must cooperate with me in getting married by May.

What will happen if you do not cooperate?

I remember everything I have been told once.

Do not ask again.

But Inspector, what if the wedding plans are screwed even though we cooperate?

That will not be our responsibility, right?

Screwed...

Using harsh words like that in itself is uncooperative behavior!

You should speak more gently-

Gosh, damn it!

This is who I am! What do you want from me?

Where did everyone go?

This is who I am! What do you want from me?

What is the matter?

Where were you?

I am asking them to cooperate with their wedding.

Cooperate, my foot. This is blackmail.

That is true. To think a scholar would resort to cheap tactics

like blackmailing us to marry against our mother's wishes and incite undutiful behavior.

I am so angry and displeased.

Cheap? Incite undutiful behavior?

I received permission from Madam to set you all up.

Mother permitted you to set us up?

- No way! - You can confirm with your mother.

I will introduce myself first.

I am Yeojudaek, who will be responsible for your satisfactory wedding.

Right! You are the famous goddess of matchmaking, Yeojudaek.

Please take good care of us.

What do you mean? It is your fault we ended up in this mess!

I've confirmed the faces of the firstborn, second, and third daughters. [Ha Na - 24, Du Ri - 23, Sam Soon - 21]

I never thought Lady Sam Soon would come while being chased by an officer.

I never thought the three daughters of Master Maeng would be so weird.

You did well to threaten the ladies to report Lady Sam Soon

as I told you to, though I was not there.

As you can tell by now, I am good at everything.

But are you sure you will be able to marry all of them off?

Of course.

Since you said you would report Lady Sam Soon, Lady Ha Na and Lady Du Ri will cooperate.

It is pretty much a done deal.

Not only that, my orabeoni-

no, I mean...

the officer was chasing Lady Samsoon...

they all believed that you would report her, so things worked out.

You seem so well-versed in such deception.

It is more of a matchmaking technique rather than deception.

Oh, right.

You said you are very smart, right?

That is right. I am the smartest man in Joseon.

Then, do you know who Ssangyeonsulsa is?

She is a mountain goddess from Goryeo folk tales who is capable of recognizing lovers.

You really know everything, Sir.

If there is anything you do not know from now on, ask me.

Then, please find out more about Ssangyeonsulsa in detail.

Why?

My apologies.

Did he just...

not recognize his own younger sister?

Madam, I am Yeojudaek, who does matchmaking in Hanyang.

It may seem like I am bragging, but madams in Bukchon call me the goddess of matchmaking.

When I match up a couple, they love each other deeply and have many children,

so families with daughters-

Are you trying to say you are Ssangyeonsulsa or something?

I do not know what Ssangyeonsulsa is,

but I am saying I can find the right partner for your daughters.

Forget it.

If all my daughters marry, who will take care of me as a blind?

Why would you...

say something you do not really mean?

What happened five years ago?

Madam, you had wanted your daughters to marry like everyone else.

What do you know that you dare speak like that?

Seeing the seal on the wood duck painting hanging there,

it was painted in the Year of the White Rabbit.

Did you not buy it for your firstborn daughter's wedding five years ago?

Praying your daughter will live a happy wedded life.

The government is undertaking this marriage to eliminate old maidens,

so the longer you hold off, the ladies may end up marrying partners who are not a fit for them.

I want to prevent that.

By chance, three years ago,

did you act as a matchmaker between the Ha family and the Ahn family?

Yes, that is correct. It is one of my most proud matches.

They are of different parties.

How did you think to match them up?

They were such a good match that I could not help but set them up.

You may not believe me right away,

but I can see if a couple is a good match or not.

I will ask you one more thing.

Why are you lying about your identity and doing the lowly work of a matchmaker?

Your silence gave me the answer I wanted.

I leave you in charge of the matchmaking for my daughters.

Ssangyeonsulsa is a figure from folk tales,

so it may not be a real person.

But it may also be a real person.

Because I feel like I am Ssangyeonsulsa.

It is an important matter to me, so please find out for me.

Forget it. I have no time for that when I am already busy matchmaking for old maidens.

All right.

I will look into it myself once these matches are wed.

Then, I will be going first.

Wait, you have not told me anything about the matchmaking plan for the old maidens.

I will tell you that when we meet in two days.

Come to the library in the merchants' inn at the same time as today.

Gosh, geez.

She is just a merchant, so why is she always so busy?

This is where you were, Ssangyeonsulsa.

I feel like I also saw it in a Goryeo song.

It was here.

My incredible memory...

It has been a while since I have seen you here.

Crown Prince, what brings you here at this hour?

This is the library of the East Palace.

What brings you here, Gyeongwoonjae Prince?

Did you not read all the books here already?

I had something to research in Goryeo's books.

Ssangyeonsulsa

She is a magician who can recognize lovers and is a godlike figure.

It is related to the work His Majesty entrusted me with, so I was gathering info on it.

She is quite an interesting goddess.

If there is Ssangyeonsulsa, will she find a match for me, too?

The Queen's Palace will decide your wife through a selection process.

Ssangyeonsulsa may be a fictional figure made up by ignorant people.

What do you mean, ignorant people?

The will of the people is said to be the will of heaven.

Even if marriage is for producing an heir,

everyone wants a good spouse, whether it be me or the people.

Ssangyeonsulsa, who were once very influential until Goryeo, were usually women.

Thus, they started disappearing after entering the Confucian Joseon age.

One out of every 10,000 people are born with the ability to recognize lovers.

These people who had this special ability existed in every era,

and they started being called Ssangyeonsulsa since the Shilla age.

I found out why I keep going around recklessly to find matches for people.

Even before I got married, I helped set up many couples.

Even though I did not see it, I believe you.

But even now, I am matching up people despite the risks I take.

You said you do it for money.

No, no.

I must be...

Ssangyeonsulsa.

What is that?

I will look into it more,

but it's supposedly a mountain god who can recognize lovers.

It is so cool, right?

That is why I was so hung up over matchmaking. It was my fate.

I worried whether I may be abnormal for getting involved in others' romance so much.

But that was because I was Ssangyeonsulsa.

Ssang-yeon-sul-sa!

Even the name is so cool!

She drinks too much these days.

Is she worried about something?

Please watch over my Ye Jin until she gets married.

You watch over her, Dear Husband.

Why are you asking me?

Ye Jin likes you.

Lady...

likes me because she likes you, Dear Husband.

Why did you leave so soon?

Why were you in such a rush?

All right. Come this way.

What is all the commotion?

Why are you dropping these off at our house?

We are just doing the errands for the matchmaker.

Yeojudaek?

I am sorry I am not Yeojudaek.

The Defense Minister says he will take the eldest daughter of this house as a mistress.

Did you just say the Defense Minister?

Yes. Though it is as a mistress, he hired a matchmaker like me.

The newly-wed house is a newly built tile-roofed house in Pil-dong

and he even sent two servants.

These conditions would have even young maidens lining up for it.

Still, she is a noblewoman. Being a mistress is a bit...

With the nasty rumors about her, she is lucky to get married as a mistress.

How dare you talk of a wedding without my permission!

Aigoo, I came thinking everything was already spoken for.

I guess not.

I cannot permit this marriage, so go back.

Arrest the criminal!

Yes, sir!

Did you just say criminal?

- My mother is a criminal? What are you doing? - Move aside!

- Mother! - Let go of me.

What do you mean Mother is a criminal?

Mother, Mother!

Your Excellency!

Gosh, why are you making such a fuss?

The old maidens' mother got arrested yesterday and taken to Hanseongbu.

Suddenly? For what crime?

Madam refused the Defense Minister's offer to take her daughter as a mistress.

The firstborn daughter was 24 years old, right?

Since she cares so much about being a dutiful daughter,

she will end up becoming the Defense Minister's mistress.

To think I would see the day when the foolish mayor

and the perverted Defense Minister helps me.

Let us go to the merchants' inn.

Wait...

Gosh, you scared me.

Did you do that, Sir?

What are you talking about?

I am asking if you made Lady Ha Na become the Defense Minister's mistress by using the law

that if a daughter does not marry by age 24, the parents are to be held responsible.

If it is about that, is it not a good thing that the firstborn daughter is getting married easily?

I had my doubts, but...

it really did come from your brain.

I am very disappointed in you, Sir.

You are disappointed in me?

For what?

You first broke the promise to follow my matchmaking method,

our matchmaking contract is now over.

I will make sure to prevent you from accomplishing the King's orders now.

♫ Love is falling again, love is coming to me again ♫

♫ Strange emotions fill me and confuse me ♫

♫ Because of you, because of you, I've got a lot on my mind ♫

[The Matchmakers]

♫ Love is coming to me again, my heart is racing by itself ♫

♫ Because of you, because of you, I guess this is love ♫

♫ That day full of sunlight, I still clearly remember that moment ♫

It is a felony for the parent to reject when a suitor comes to marry her.

I think it will be pricey.

I got what I wanted, thanks to Gyeongwoonjae.

Coming up with a justification for that is nothing to you.

How long must I keep cleaning up your mess, Hyungnim?

I will resolve this with Lady Ha Na before noon, so buy us some time.

Do not worry since you will not be suspected.

Oh, gosh! How dare you!

Please open the door!

Do you know how long it takes for a man and a woman to fall in love?

I am not a man who will disappoint you.

♫ Strange emotions fill me and confuse me, because of you... ♫

[The Matchmakers]