Original subtitles

Subtitled by KBS America

Hong, where is Hong?

Why are you here in the middle

of the night with your goons?

Didn't you say Hong was here with Hong Soo?

That's... what I thought.

Are you trying to shut me up in fear that

West Gate's criminal doings would be exposed?

I wouldn't be here if I were afraid of anything.

I heard that Mother never blamed you for anything.

I know.

How do you know?

I knew exactly how she felt and what she wanted,

and that's why I could neither come back for her....

...nor forget about her.

You've been exempted from base status,

but living alone won't be easy.

I'll find a way to bring you back to Hanyang.

I won't be going to Hanyang.

Then I'll help you get settled here in Jeju.

Let's find you a house to live in first.

You don't have to try so hard, sir.

You resent me...

Sure. How could you not?

No, it's not that.

I have made my own plans for my future.

Would you share what that is with me?

I am going to become a merchant.

My dream, the promise I made myself when I was a young girl,

I'm going to keep that promise now.

Hong, where are you? Hong!

Sir, this is not the time to go looking for Hong.

Let's get out of here!

But you saw her with Jung Hong Soo!

Sir.

I want an answer.

Why were West Gate's private guards following me?

They weren't following you, sir. We were just...

Where did you hide Hong?

Hiding things? isn't that your forte?

Where is Hong?

Let go. Let go! Let go or I'll kill you!

Please, sir!

- Let go! - What are you waiting for?

I want Hong right now!

Let go!

Hong!

If you need me, come find me anytime.

I have no rights to act like your father at this point, but...

take it.

"Kim Man Deok"

You are Eun Hong's and my daughter.

Eun Hong once said if she had a child,

she'd raise the child to be virtuous.

So I'm sure your mother would be pleased with that name.

Thank you... for growing up into such a fine young woman.

Father...

Perhaps my mother's spirit is still here...

longing for my father...

I'll never be able to call him Father again, will I?

Hong...

I've confirmed the clerk's death.

Good work.

What good work did you do this time?

You and your brother have been quite busy since Madam Oh came to town.

Well then...

Exactly who are you after? Hong or Jung Hong Soo?

I don't know.

Who do you think I should go after to benefit West Gate Market Brokers?

If you hurt Hong, it's not going to matter that you're my stepmother.

Hong, Hong...

I'm surprised the company is still in business when all you can think about is Hong.

What?

Why am I after them?

Because they're getting in our way. Why else?

Now you can figure our for yourself who I'm talking about.

If you want to take Hong away from smart man Jung Hong Soo, use your head!

Oh, what have you done to yourself!

You've committed a crime, but that's no reason to end your life!

How did this happen?

You're asking me that question?

Oh, my dear fellow...!

What did you say to him to drive him to suicide?

Call the medical examiner. I must know the exact cause of death!

You'd cut up a dead man into pieces to be satisfied?

Why do you oppose a postmortem examination?

This man has been a close friend of mine for over a decade.

It's bad enough that he is dead, but now he wants to cut up the body.

You cannot allow this, sir. You just can't!

Assistant Magistrate Choi!

This is a clear case of suicide. Let the matter rest!

Oh, my poor friend...!

I'm here to take you to East Gate Market Brokers.

Yes, thank you.

Hong!

Come back and visit sometime.

I'll make you lots of good food!

No, stay as far away as you

can from the gisaeng house.

Thank you for always

being so kind to me.

We're going to miss you.

I'm sure the inspector would've been here, too, if it weren't for the dead man...

The dead man?

The clerk hanged himself in his cell.

I guess corruption in the local authority will be buried forever now that the clerk is dead.

What does this mean for us East Gate?

Choi Nam Gu is still alive, so nothing's going to change.

West Gate and the local authority will not lose power just because the clerk is dead.

Welcome, Madam. You've endured a very trying time.

I know this is an imposition, but we will take advantage of your hospitality for now.

Imposition? Nonsense.

We hope you'll give us guidance as our advisor.

I am not fit to your advisor. But I will earn my keep.

These kids will earn their keep as well, so please show them the ropes.

Hong and Dong Ah,

you may assist the madam and learn the ropes of the business.

Yes, sir.

Are you worried about Captain Jeong?

The clerk's death buried all evidence against the local authority.

The inspectors must be so disheartened...

Corruption is like a root buried in the soil.

There is no way to tell how deep and how far it goes.

But removing the small, exposed roots will only make the main root hide even deeper.

Then how can we find the main root and remove it?

Going after the corrupted and punishing them is not the only answer.

Creating an environment that does not allow corruption to take root

is the best way to help the people of Jeju.

For the first time I'm having regrets about becoming an officer of the law.

Please don't be disheartened.

The clerk is dead and Choi Nam Gu got away scot-free.

And it's all because I pushed too hard.

Am I still supposed to go on?

You may not be able to expose his crime right now,

but you can stop him from continuing his corrupt practices.

Don't lose your spirit.

We're wanted back in Hanyang.

Sir, please give me a few more days.

But we've exhausted all means of finding evidence against West Gate and Choi Nam Gu.

If we can't put them away right now,

we can at least find a way to stop them from exploiting the people of Jeju.

I'm going to see what we can do to eliminate corruption in the tax collection process,

and find out what it is that the people need most.

Very well. Proceed with the work.

I'll talk to the magistrate and persuade him to cooperate with you.

Thank you, sir.

I appreciate your help.

You have nothing to thank me for.

It's your siblings that got you out by appealing to the government.

Oh, Madam, we did nothing.

By the way, how are Hong and Granny doing?

I'm told they were ushered out to East Gate Market Brokers.

Then we'll need to plant a spy at East Gate.

Seo Joo will find a perfect candidate for you.

Yes. You can leave that to me, madam.

The Royal Court is watching Jeju.

I urge you to make a wise decision.

What is the meaning of this?

I am the man in charge of this office's performance!

Policy reform cannot be carried out without my knowledge!

This is the Bureau's recommendation after auditing the local government administration.

Magistrate, sir, the policy must be reviewed thoroughly before it is announced.

I will see if this is acceptable.

An assistant judging the magistrate's work?

You dare question your superior's competence?

The inspector is right.

Assistant Magistrate Choi, you will announce the new policy to take effect immediately.

But sir!

To render the process of tax collection transparent,

the local government will publish the exact amount required for collection.

There will be no excess collection, and your surplus yield will be deemed personal income.

No single business entity may hold monopoly rights to trade specialty products of Jeju.

Cornering and hording will not be allowed,

and violation will result in suspension of business.

Those who report the violators will be guaranteed anonymity and granted reward.

By authority of the provincial magistrate, all tribute goods and items offered to the court

will be selected after open and competitive process.

Let us go see the dreadful consequences of your obsession with a woman.

I don't want to be bothered. Leave me alone.

Are you afraid?

You're such a coward that you can't even face the consequences of your actions?

No wonder Hong doesn't want you.

Are you done?

Just come with me.

Read it. This is what you've caused.

I'd at least have some respect for you if you had gained what you were after,

but you just did your enemy a favor.

I'm mortified. Your father will turn in his grave.

Be quiet. I will eventually get what I want.

Do you think this cheap hair ornament is going to suite Hong?

What is this rude behavior?

You went around this whole island stirring things up with your rude behavior.

Can't I be just a little rude?

I need to talk to Hong, so leave us alone for a minute.

I have nothing to say to you.

Please let go of me.

What is the meaning of this?

Hong?

Maksoon?

Is that you?

It's been a long time, Hong.

Wrap up some silk, and tangerines for

my guest to take home when she leaves.

Yes, ma'am.

No, don't do that.

I don't want to trouble you when you're down here for work.

Hong, I'm not a worker anymore. I'm the owner.

It's the least I can give to a friend I haven't seen in years.

Try it. It's finest tea from Qing.

Only the highest ranking government officials drink it.

Things must've been really hard for you.

I guess it's because this is my first pregnancy.

No, what I mean is... it must've been so hard to get to where you are.

What do you mean?

If you're the owner of West Gate that means you were Kang Kye Man's mistress.

I wasn't his mistress, I was his wife.

And I'm the lawful owner of West Gate Market Brokers.

Maksoon...

I changed my name, too. It's Moon Seon now.

The destitute, insignificant Maksoon you knew no longer exist.

Why are you looking at me like that?

I... I don't know.

You always looked so happy working hard at the silk store,

but now... I don't know.

Daebang Kang Kye Man tried to kill me and Granny.

To hear that you've become his wife...

I don't know how I should be toward you either.

Well, I'm just happy that we met again.

You know that, don't you?

No, thank you.

Jeju is in turmoil because of the inspectors' decisions.

I will require your help to remedy the situation.

Also...

Your son has fallen for a former gisaeng and become a mockery of Jeju.

I urge you to quickly find him a suitable maiden for him to marry.

Did you wish to see me, ma'am?

How many things have you given up in your life because of your birth origin?

I never expected much from the beginning since I'm a lowborn.

That's what people normally do.

It's easier not to covet what you can't have.

But what would you do if someone is about to take what you were forced to give up?

Send this to Hanyang by the fastest post.

Yes, ma'am.

I can't let you have the man I couldn't have.

Not you...

It's you I'm counting on.

Moon Seon is smart, but she's a woman after all.

Of course, my lord.

It's your graciousness that keeps us going.

I need to have some Jeju abalones brought up for Qing envoys.

Does this mean we will be trading abalones with Qing.

If you play this right, you'll be able to make up all of your loss.

Go to Jeju and find a way for West Gate Market Brokers to acquire abalones.

Thank you, my lord.

I will be leaving for Hanyang tomorrow.

Yes...

Hong, I want to stay here with...

There are people eagerly waiting for you in Hanyang.

Your mother, your father, and your colleagues at the Commerce Control Bureau.

And just as my dream is here in Jeju, your dream is there in Hanyang.

You need to be where you can pursue your dream.

Fellows.

Yes?

Where are you taking those?

Junior Foreman asked us to fetch them.

Do you know what he needs them for?

I told you to fetch a roll of silk. What's taking so long?

No, sir. We're...

Don't fault these men. I stopped them and didn't let them go.

What?

If you're taking silk out of the warehouse, I need you to log what it's for and sign here.

These men are busy and bookkeeping can be done at night.

No matter how busy they are,

I cannot release items from the warehouse without paperwork.

I am the junior foreman of this trading company.

I do not take items from the warehouse for personal use!

What's this commotion?

Senior Foreman,

Madam is arguing over insignificant details and making work difficult for everyone.

Making clear records of receiving and outgoing inventory regardless of the

person moving the goods is one of the most basic rules of business management.

What?

Are you trying to say that I don't even have the basics?

Stop.

Have I not told you to respect and follow

the madam's advice in all matters small and large?

Senior Foreman!

Remember that there're no exceptions to rules that Madam has put in place

and inform the others as well.

Yes, sir.

I am the junior foreman of East Gate. I am the junior foreman of East Gate!

Me!

Look here, Lady boss of West Gate, do you really think I can be bought

with money to betray the company that I gave my best years to?

I will not make this offer twice.

But you should think hard about what the fastest road to becoming

the senior foreman of East Gate might be.

Senior foreman of East Gate?

Yes.

West Gate's owner talking about making me senior foreman of East Gate?

One might think you own East Gate as well.

I heard you've been dipping into company funds. Is it a false rumor?

Not only that, you've been cooking the books as well.

Who... told you that? Which bastard!

How rich do you think you can become by pilfering a few rolls of silk?

Work for me instead.

Then you can get where you want to be without resorting to petty theft.

A wise bird chooses a strong tree to build her nest.

We can't be seen together, so I will choose a place next time.

As you please.

Senior Foreman? Isn't that a bit too much?

Not really. I will make him earn it.

Let us hold a farewell dinner for you. Must you rush off like this?

We have been called back to Hanyang on an urgent matter.

But I do appreciate the thought.

Goodbye, then.

She won't come.

Sir...

She'll send us off from afar.

Like her mother did...

What are you waiting for?

I don't understand you, sir. Why aren't you taking Hong back?

If I took Hong to Hanyang, my family wouldn't leave her alone.

Like Madam said,

I don't want Hong to be burden with the guilt of having destroyed her father's family.

I can't fight my family and win.

Aren't you in the same situation?

Your heart is sincere, but Minister Jeong Dong is standing above you.

Can you fight your father and win?

Do you have the power to protect Hong?

If you can't protect her, don't reach out to her in the first place.

She's just starting out her own life.

Don't make things more difficult for her.

The ship is now ready for departure! All aboard!

Sir.

I'm not going.

Captain?

I made a promise to myself that I'd never lose her again.

I devoted my heart and soul to building the strength

so I could keep that promise if I found her again.

I will protect her. I will protect her, sir!

Hong? Where is Hong?

At Byeoldo Peak...

Hong!

Hong!

I won't deceive my heart anymore.

I never want to be away from you again.

And I'm going to follow my heart.

But the things that await you in Hanyang...

I'm giving them up.

My family, my career...

nothing is more important to me than you are.

Will you be with me?

I guess Lord Jung Hong Soo didn't leave.

I saw him walking you home.

Hong, I just want you to be happy.

Dong Ah...

Don't think about anything else.

Just think about what makes you happy.

Can I? Can I really do that?

Go to Hanyang?

That means you have to escape the island, and that's too dangerous.

Don't worry.

I've already talked to Foreman Ko and made arrangements.

I want to be with you but not at the cost of your career.

So I'll go to Hanyang with you instead.

Hong went to the docks with Lord Jeong? Is this true?

Yes, I just received a message from Kim Pan Sul.

Yoo Ji? Where is Yoo Ji?

Oh, Mother! What brings you here, Mother?

Do you think it's easy to take a girl who has another man in her heart?

I set it all up for you and you let her get away.

Hong is leaving Jeju with Captain Jeong. Do you know that?

What?

They're probably at the docks right now.

If you want to know how you can have Hong, come to me anytime!

I will be hiding in under the passenger's cabin.

Come find me after the ship has set sail.

Why didn't you go with him?

Have you lost your guts now that you're a commoner?

Or are you finally growing up?

My heart is on that ship bound for Hanyang.

What do you mean by that?

What do you mean?

It means I've given my heart to Lord Jeong.

I've always been true to you.

Everyone mocked me and called me a fool,

but I protected you and risked everything for you.

And all you can say to me is that your heart is on the ship to Hanyang?

I'm grateful for all of the things you've done for me.

But there is no place in my heart for you.

I will do this my way from now on!

I'm done pretending to be a gentleman!

I'll make you mine my way!

You‘ll regret this!

You just wait and see how reckless dog Kang Yoo Ji brings you to your knees!

You just wait and see!

I won't apologize for deceiving you.

Because although I will remain on this island,

my heart will be with you on that ship.

I, too, want to make a family and live as a wife and mother.

But however desirable that life may be, I cannot have it by sacrificing your dream.

Become an official who cares for the people.

Stand with those who struggle to survive so that they may not feel alone.

The book of our dreams "Jehol Diary" will keep you company instead of me.

Are you finally ready to listen to your mother?

You said there was a way.

A way? A way to do what?

Are you toying with me?

That's not the right attitude for someone seeking help.

Do you want me to kneel?

Never mind.

If you want Hong,

you must destroy East Gate first where she and Granny have cast their lot.

And if they turns to some place else, destroy that place as well.

Let them know that there's no place they can turn to in Jeju but you.

I will help you.

I'm sure there's something you want in return for your help.

No.

Really? Am I supposed to believe that?

Believe it. And do nothing.

Do nothing?

That's all I ask of you, my son.

To do nothing, just like now.

And I will do all the work.

I will seize power, wealth, people, and this entire island of Jeju.

And all you have to do is watch.

I don't want any help or interference from you, so just continue to do nothing.

These were caught this morning. Come take a look!

Hong!

Hong, why did you put up your...

I'm Kim Man Deok now.

Merchant of Jeju Kim Man Deok.

Subtitled by KBS America