Original subtitles

lfJang-Geum can make a dish with whale meat

I will accept her without asking more questions

that is, if she's able to draw up a taste using food...

she hasn't eaten before as Lady Han has been saying

But ifJang-Geum can't make a tasty dish

you must bring a charge against Lady Han...

for mixing public & private matters

and keeping this a secret...

not to speak ofJang-Geum

Good, serve him with this

Madam!

Didn't you hear me? Hurry and serve him

I used the bee's stinger as you said

but I don't know if it'll be effective

Just swallow it down

It's bitter, isn't it?

Yes

It's natural for gall to be bitter

It was bitter... it was clearly bitter

(Episode 15)

As mentioned, we've been putting too much emphasis...

on compositional skills and lineage

So I think we should start an administration...

to oversee different examination requirements to select officials

What do you think?

Your Majesty, your food is getting cold...

It's a dish made from whale meat from a foreign country

Really? Please go ahead and eat

This is what whale meat tastes like

It's excellent I think your skills have improved

since the Highest Lady had you two compete

His Majesty has complimented your dish. Good work

You see? Didn't I tell you...

that tasting is more important for the eater than the cook?

I'm impressed you made such a tasty dish even without tasting it

It's too bad you can't taste it yourself

That's not so, Madam I know the taste

You know the taste? What do you mean?

I tasted it right after I finished making the dishes. And I felt it

I'm not sure what you're saying

Madam... my sense of taste has come back. It's back!

I found out after making the kebab!

Really? Is that true?

Yes, Madam. I'm almost positive though I need to confirm it

Tell me what happened How did you get it back?

I think it's because of what Mr. Jung at the herb garden did for me

The herb garden...?

Yes, Madam. He's the physician I worked under

when I was at the garden

When I went back there, he was studying bee stings

Bee stings?

He found out, the poison could be used as medicine

and I begged him to test it on me

That's how you got your sense back...?

That can't be! That's impossible! No matter how good she is

she can't make a dish with something she has never tasted before

But you saw the result with your own eyes

I'm sure she deceived us somehow

It was made in front of everyone

Even so, it wasn't difficult for Lady Han to taste it for her

That probably didn't happen

Then are you saying that Jang-Geum is naturally gifted?

Madam

The Highest Lady is calling everyone to gather at the dining room

OK

I asked you to gather so you can try the whale dish

As kitchen ladies, you should taste new dishes

Go ahead and taste the food in front of you

Yes, ma'am

Madam, I lost

Jang-Geum made this dish with whale meat

which she's never seen before

She surprised me

Plus she has even lost her sense of taste

But Madam, that...

You ought to be acknowledged for making it without the sense

Madam...

But, Madam... you can't stay in the Royal Kitchen...

just by making good food

As you've told us before, it is an important job

for court ladies of the kitchen to taste the dishes...

made by the lower-ranking ladies...

to discover talents, evaluate and train them

So though I feel Jang-Geum's skills are a great gift

I don't think it's right to let her stay in the kitchen

until she recovers her sense of taste

Since Jang-Geum's cooking skills are outstanding

we can let her keep cooking only

And she hasn't lost her sense completely either

So it won't be a big problem

That's why you should verify it...

You must decide after testing how much Jang-Geum can taste

whether she can stay in the kitchen or not in front of everyone first

She must be tested As you already know

this isn't a fruit or snack room

but a place to cook His Majesty's food

OK. You're right. Let's do that...

Gather everyone in front of the kitchen

Lady Choi, prepare everything for the test

Yes, ma'am

Madam

What? She recovered her sense of taste?

Though it hasn't been confirmed

she's almost positive that she's recovered

I was wondering about that myself Anyway, that's good

I thought we were just about to lose a good talent from our kitchen

Did you tell Lady Choi about this?

Not yet...

I will tell her, so just pretend not to know about this

Whatever the case, we should just go ahead and wrap up...

with Lady Choi's request to test Jang-Geum

And you two are the competitors

so be extra careful with your conduct and behavior

Yes, ma'am

It's time for the new ladies to learn about pickled shrimp

so I prepared those

But even the experienced court ladies have a hard time...

telling the difference between pickled shrimp

That's because you didn't learn properly

Are you saying you can do it?

Of course!

Be quiet!

Go ahead

Come on out, Jang-Geum

Jang-Geum, taste the juice in the bowl

and tell me what type of pickled shrimp it is

Go ahead

This is May pickle

How do you know?

It's made with shrimps caught during May

which is when shrimps start to grow plump

so the meat is reddish and tastes a little sweeter

Open it up

She's correct

Taste the next one

This is June pickle. It's saltier

and more savory than others

It's often eaten as a side dish

Open it up

She's correct

Skip the next one and go to the fourth one

Madam...

Go ahead and taste it

This is made with the second smallest shrimps among sea shrimps

It isn't as salty, so it's good to eat with pork

Open it up

She's correct

Try the center one

This is made with the smallest shrimps...

Madam, I have something to tell you

Madam... actually...

What is it?

Jang-Geum has recovered her sense of taste

Though it hasn't been confirmed

she has almost completely recovered it

That was right after making the whale dish today

Listen, everyone. LfJang-Geum has really recovered her sense

then it's something you ought to rejoice about with Jang-Geum

There's a lesson to learn here Jang-Geum lost her sense after...

tasting the duck porridge to find out the cause of the Prince's paralysis

It is important for a cook to be courageous

and not fear death, to find out whether a dish

brings health or death to a person

That's how she had lost her sense of taste

As Lady Choi said, a cook who has lost her sense of taste shouldn't...

be able to work, but at the same time, as we share our lives together

we must be able to share Jang-Geum's pain

who has acted with such courage But instead of comforting Jang-Geum

who probably went through the pain by herself

we only thought of casting her out We must be ashamed of ourselves

So go back to your quarters

and make many tasty dishes for Jang-Geum

Yes, ma'am

Lady Choi was humiliated, huh?

Nothing works out because ofJang-Geum...

I came in the middle...

Did Jang-Geum go somewhere?

I don't know She wasn't here when I came

I'm angry at Jang-Geum

Why?

How could she not tell me, of all people?

It's probably because she wasn't sure herself

And how would you have helped her anyway?

If I were her, I wouldn't have told anyone either

It would've been a bolt from the blue

Yes, Chang-Yee's right

Anyhow, when she comes back, I'll give her a good scolding

I told you to celebrate with her

You don't need to stand up Let's eat together

They're for Jang-Geum, though

She said she had to go somewhere to thank someone

so I gave her permission

Sir!

Sir!

Sir!

Stop! Stop! Don't come near...

What are you doing?

I'm trying to find a treatment method with no side effects

I think if people eat that beef covered with stinger poison

there won't be any side effects

so you put that piece of beef on your tongue

I don't need to now

Don't need to?

My sense has come back I've recovered

What?

Have you really recovered?

Yes, sir. My sensitivity has completely returned

Then bee stings are really effective?!

You're more glad that your bee stings are effective...

than my sense of taste coming back?

Is that how I sounded...?

Yes

That's too bad, since it's true

But did you come empty-handed?

Huh?

You should've brought me a bowl of wine at least

or some dried anchovies or something

I'm sorry... I was so glad that I just ran over here

Sorry. I'll go and quickly get you something

No, thanks I want a gift from your heart

Just one second

It's made with hands that make the King's food

so it should be much better than dried up anchovies

You're right. It does look good

Pour me some drinks

Where have you been?

I went and visited someone who helped me recover my sense of taste

How come you didn't tell me about it?

I was at a loss as to what to do

That's why you should've told me so we could be at a loss together

That's why I didn't tell you...

If you joined me in the distress I would've felt worse...

You just being by my side was enough encouragement to me

Still don't do that next time

OK

Does my being by your side really encourage you?

Of course

Yeun-Seng

What?

There's someone I'm grateful to... What's a good thank you gift?

Silk or trinket...

I don't think those are good

Rice then?

I don't think so

Then... who is it?

It's just... someone I'm thankful to... So I want to express my appreciation

with something more from the heart

Then give your heart

How?

Lady Jung always tells us to make food with our hearts

So you can prepare food

You're right! You're a great friend. Thanks

What are you doing?

Huh?

I was... just making something

At this time of the night?

Yeah...

Actually, I've been in despair for a while

but there was someone who comforted me in ways that I didn't expect

You must be happy to have someone who comforts you

in a cold palace like this

I'm happy that your sense of taste came back

since you're the only person I acknowledge as my competitor

I know you had that for a while, but why do you...

Iook at it everyday? Aren't you going to use it?

No

I was going to send a soldier to you

I told this famous physician about you

and he said that he might be able to help

I've recovered...

What? Is that true?

Yes. The bee stings of Mr. Jung at the herb garden were effective

Really? That's really great

I wanted to meet you so I can return all the books I've borrowed

and I wanted to express my appreciation so I prepared some food

Really? You shouldn't have...

Oh, no, you let me borrow books

and comforted me and gave me advice

And your poem was a big encouragement to me as well

As I cook food I always hope the person who eats my dish would smile

I hope my appreciation would be well expressed through this

Thank you

Sir. A kitchen lady wants to see you for a moment

Really?

Aren't you Lady Choi?

Yes. I hope I didn't interrupt anything

Oh, no. What brings you here?

What's this for?

I heard that you were looking for this inkstone from my uncle

I could've just gone to the merchant but you brought it yourself?

I heard about it when I visited my uncle's

Thank you. I have a useless greed for writing equipment

Greed? I know about it as I've seen it from my childhood

When you came to my uncle's house for the first time

you held onto the inkstone and didn't let go

Did I?

But you seem a little troubled Is something wrong?

No...

it's just that in life, I thought I only needed to make good food

but things seem so tough these days I'm losing confidence too

Yes, there are such times...

Do you feel that way too sometimes?

Of course. Someone told me that while she's cooking...

she hopes the person who's eating the dish would have a smile

Though it's simple, it touched my heart

Martial arts is about hurting others

but culinary arts is about pleasing others

That's what you're doing, so be confident

Someone told me that while she's cooking...

she hopes the person who's eating the dish would have a smile

Though it's simple, it touched my heart

Martial arts is about hurting others

but culinary arts is about pleasing others

That's what you're doing, so be confident

Madam, what's going on?

Don't worry, the Head Lady and Sir Oh Kyum-Ho...

have spoken to the King's Mother

Then will things get straightened out?

The King's Mother has said that it is against the rule for the King...

to intervene in the administration of court ladies

so there will be word soon

Madam, eunuchs have requested for a court lady...

to send to Un-Ahm Temple

OK, let's pick someone from the fruit or snack room

Did you hear?

The Head Lady has told the King's Mother that...

it isn't right to pick the Highest Lady through a competition

When His Majesty went to greet the King's Mother

this is what she said

I heard that you are going to pick the Highest Kitchen Lady yourself

Yes, Mother

That's not right

It's under the administration of the court ladies

The changes in examinations and purpose are good, of course

But it's not good for you to be concerned...

with trivial matters of court ladies

OK... I thought of it very lightly because I thought...

it's not much different from eating my meals everyday

Then would you do it for me instead?

Me?

Yes. Since it's for a good purpose, why don't you do it?

It's interesting and the food of the palace...

is what guides the people

Please do it

Yeah? Then I'll do it

There's no need to delay the news Go spread the news now

The official competition will start on the birthday of the Prince

There will be three parts and the King's Mother will be the judge

instead of the King

So make no mistakes

It's something we expected

Yes. But it's better than canceling the competition

Thank you for your effort

Things worked out for you You won't lose...

with the King's Mother's support, and there's credibility

since it's done in the name of a competition

Madam, are you feeling bad that you weren't able to cancel it?

Don't worry It's our fault for putting...

Lady Jung at that position in the first place

This type of thing can't happen in other places

And once I become the Highest Lady you don't have to...

worry about receiving complete respect for your authority

Help me get there Then things will be back to normal

I think even Sir Oh Kyum-Ho has gone to the King's Mother

to complain about the King's decision

Then is the competition canceled?

Is it canceled?

No. There'll be a competition

Did something go wrong?

No, everything went perfectly

It's obvious who will be winning, and because it's a competition

it'll be justified as well

You're right

You just get me the best ingredients in Chosun

That's a piece of cake

Even only with the ingredients, Lady Han can't beat me

because that's really important in cooking

Actually... we didn't even need the King's Mother's help

Really?

What are you doing?

I heard about the decision I was practicing...

using the book you gave me

Good...

Don't worry about me I can do better than anyone else

You seem to be energetic Haven't seen you like this for a while

That's good. I was worried because you've been down

since the middle kitchen incident

Everything's going back to normal Everything...

So this is it

I'm so relieved that your tastebuds are alright

I owe it to you. I'm going to help you with all my strength

OK...

What are you going to do about the ingredients?

What do you mean? We'll be receiving them

from the Food Services of course

They aren't very fresh

since they take a long time to get here

You're right...

And I think Lady Choi will have her ingredients provided by her family

Yes... I know

Hello... Where's Duk-Gu?

You never ask for me... you always ask for Duk-Gu

Actually, I have a favor to ask you

What is it?

Please tell him to get with best quality...

before the Prince's birthday

These expensive ingredients?

I'll give you all my salary, so please get the best

Sure... You'll give me a tip too, right?

That's...

OK, OK, I'll have to get them myself, not Duk-Gu

Why? Did he go somewhere?

Yes, he was ordered to go somewhere quickly

My name is Jung Yoon-Su I was called to come here quickly

What is it?

Please wait a minute

Yes, sir

Your clothing looks really good

The nursemaid who came with the Queen from outside the palace

...Her health has been deteriorating

and Her Majesty the Queen is very worried

So I was ordered to send a physician and a chef

Lt. General... Please excuse me

Sir, did you say your name is Jung In-Su?

It's Yoon-Su

There's someone who works for me named Jung In-Pil

would you happen to know him?

We have a long way to go, so can I buy you some drinks?

This is no good occasion to have drinks!

I'm a physician for Pete's sake...

They want me to check up on a mere court lady?

There's a field that was given to Sung-Kyun College...

around the place you're headed But they've been writing often that...

the yield is so low that they have a hard time managing the college

So as you stay quietly at your place

check what other problems might be there

Yes, sir

We'll take care of any problems

so you just find out what's going on

Yes, sir

Right under the head...

Sir Let's go

Sure

It beat so fast...

I have to meet someone, so please wait here

Of course... take your time

Hello!

Give me some rice wine here and send some in there too

Who is it?

Didn't I tell you? If anyone bothers you

or this business, just let me know

Then you're really close to Lt. Gen. From the Royal Protectorate?

Close? We're like brothers!

You'll still ask me to pay off my credits?!

And he's a physician of the Royal Palace

so just tell me if you're hurting anywhere

Why you...! I ask you to massage me at home and you never do and yet...

I didn't even touch her

You...! Why are you here anyway?

We're just taking a break on the way

to carry out an order with the Lt. General

Then are you going with that person from last time?

Yes

Then where is he? I have something to tell him

What?

We need to find out why the yield has gone down from that field

so you disguise yourselves as merchants and go to that town first

Yes, sir

Sir, I apologize for our mistakes from last time. Please forgive us

It's alright

And there are many soldiers in the Royal Protectorate, right?

I heard that you often offer drinks after days of hard training

Sir, what if we provide those drinks for the Royal Protectorate?

We'll make sure that you have more than enough

Let's leave. We have a long way to go

He's leaving... when we're not even finished talking! Do something!

Please come back for a moment He isn't coming back

Wipe every corner...

Madam... even though it's a competition

Lady Choi, Keum-Young and Jang-Geum go out of the kitchen too often

That's right, Madam We have too much to do

It can't be helped

I agree

I'm surprised you two agree on something

Madam, I've gotten very good ingredients through someone

Madam, Lady Jung is calling for you

What is it? Is something wrong?

I'm not sure... But I think she said...

the King's Mother has given an assignment

An assignment? For the competition?

I'm not sure about the details...

The King gave a scolding for preparing a big birthday feast for the Prince

when the people are having hardships

from this year's flood during summer

The King's Mother has accepted his will and gave you a new assignment

The people's suffering is obvious during a time like this

So she has ordered you to make a dish

using things that people throw away or don't normally eat

So she has ordered a table of...

one side dish, a soup and a bowl of rice

It seems the Majesties...

want to experience what people are going through

And since you'll need to go outside of the palace to find ingredients

she has given you permission to go out

Just how could the King's Mother allow herself

to eat the things that common folks eat?

Don't worry. Even so, the results won't change

Manager Jang, are you out there?

Yes, sir Come in

Tell the workers to find anything that people don't eat

and yet can be made into food Reward them if they find it

Yes, sir

Sir, I'm ready to leave now

OK, I'll leave in a few days so prepare well

Yes, sir!

You can go home and relax

Sure

I'll go and look for them myself

The lower folks know better about these things

Don't waste your time and relax

No. I'll look for them and do it myself

You must be very motivated Then I won't stop you

Go right ahead

Jang-Geum, that's it!

What?

Our rice from making wine Kids just come and eat it

If you can make a dish with this, then people will surely buy it

Ma'am...

Jang-Geum... please make the dish for me...

Let me earn some money through you as well

We ought to look for them ourselves

Madam!

Is that so bad?

If you don't want it, then forget it

Madam!

Madam, that's it!

They use it to make wine but they don't eat it as food

They normally throw it away

It can be made into a side dish for sure!

Actually, I was very worried

Why?

It'd be hard to compete with the quality of Lady Choi's ingredients

and I heard Lady Min say that it's advantageous for Lady Choi

because the King's Mother will be the judge

You shouldn't listen to such nonsense

Anyway, I'm confident that we'll win

Can we take the fruit on the ground?

Sure

Thank you

No need to thank me They'll rot anyway

Go ahead and take all you want

Are you going to throw those away?

These? Yes

Madam, I found it!

Really?

Aunt, we can make a dish with these

Yes, you're right! There are many kinds of dishes

but I've never seen one made with these

You're so smart The lower folks couldn't find it

even when there's a reward

Let's go We'll need time to make it...

Let's hurry to the palace

Sure

Since it has to be a stew that common people enjoy

the common beef stew sold at inns will be best

I'll go to the palace and make it, you can go to the butcher's

and get some bone and meat for the broth

Yes, ma'am

Go on

Madam, won't beef stew be good?

I'm not sure... Though it's a popular kind of stew

Let's decide on that and you can go to the palace first

while I go get the bones and meat from the butcher's

We can get those at the Food Services

It's hard to tell whether they have good quality or not

and they might not even have any

You go ahead first I'll get those and go back quickly

OK, sure

OK

Hello

Do you have good legbones?

Why are many people looking for bones today?

All the good ones are sold out already

Really?

I got a cow two days ago and all I have left are those

When will you get another cow?

They don't slaughter one everyday

It'll be either tomorrow or the day after

You bought them?

They didn't have any at the butcher's

so I got them from the Food Services

You should've gone somewhere else to get better ones

With this stew, it's more important to take time boiling the bones

OK. Use that method then

Sure, I'll take care of it

Jang-Geum hasn't come back yet?

No, Madam

I told her to come back if she couldn't find it...

Madam, you know Jang-Geum She'll get it no matter what it takes

(Butcher Shop)

Hello? Hello?

What? You don't have it?

The meat hasn't arrived yet

When does it come next time?

Well... why don't you go to the butcher town yourself?

Isn't that quite far from here?

It's not that far

Then tell me how I can get there

Sure

Even though it's Jang-Geum, I think she's running too late

Yes, I know

Keum-Young just got them from the Food Services

Madam! Madam!

Jang-Geum... what happened?

I got really good ones I went to the butcher town to get them

But the boiling time is more important with this stew

Don't worry... don't worry, Madam

The reason they boil it for three days

is because they have to take out the lard

but if you put in Korean paper, it should absorb it all

You're right

We can shorten the time and use these good bones

And I have another good idea I found out something

with my abilities that you've taught me about. Just trust me

Did she say it's going well?

Yes, she says she's confident that...

she'd win this competition for sure

Probably so. She's got talent and not only that...

she isn't someone who will do things by halves

Buddha, please help Jang-Geum win...

Hey, hey, what are you doing?

What do you think? I'm just playing around

Who... who's that person that you're poking with the brush?

Poke? I'm only drawing...

"Only" drawing?! Yeah, right That's Jang-Geum, isn't it?!

It's not!

Let me see it! It's Jang-Geum, isn't it?!

The people eat such simple meals?

Actually, it's simpler

That's why the King is so worried

So did you make the side dishes with the things that people don't eat?

Yes, Your Majesty

Yes, Your Majesty

This seems to be a type of pickle What did you make it with?

It's made with fish gills

Fish gills?

Yes, Your Majesty People eat anchovies, caviar, or...

stomachs of pollack, but they've been throwing away all the gills

Really?

But we found out that the taste...

is as good as other pickles

And people have many diseases because they don't eat...

enough meat and fish, but this is a good alternative

Yes...

You're right. You try some too

Yes, ma'am

This looks like vegetables in soy sauce What did you make it with?

Yes, Your Majesty, they are plums

Plums? Isn't that something people use to make wine

and otherwise throw away because of its sourness?

Yes. But seasoning it with soy sauce made it taste good

You're right. There's no sourness, and it increases the appetite too

Plums are also good for the stomach and liver

and according to medicinal books

it neutralizes three types of poison

Three types of poison?

Yes. They're poison in water, blood and food...

So it'll be a good dish and it can be medicine...

for people who don't eat regularly

or get food poisoned often by eating raw food

This is a difficult task indeed Both dishes seem to taste good

and they are good for the body, so how can I decide between the two?

Madam, you still have to pick one

Then I should eat it with rice and soup just as common people do

I've decided

Lady Choi's is better

Why do you think so, Madam?

You tell me yourselves

I know the reason

Really?