Original subtitles

I prefer the Five Seeds porridge What do you think?

You can make it taste like this with fish skin...

your skills are excellent

You overpraise...

I used chicken broth with bean juice

Bean juice? You made sauce out of bean juice?

Yes, the vinegar is persimmon vinegar...

that's been buried for a few decades

Both dishes are close to perfect

However, when I think about the time and devotion to...

making vinegar over a few decades...

How come I don't see Lady Han here?

Why is her assistant bringing the food?

Is Lady Han making the food inside?

No, that's not so. Lady Han has gone out of the palace...

and she hasn't come back yet

What?

(Episode 21)

She didn't come back? Lady Jung, what's going on?

The animals spoiled the ingredients last night...

so she went to get more, but she hasn't come back yet

How did she manage to have the ingredients spoiled?

And if they were, then she should've just used the ingredients available

to stay on time Aren't those the basics?

I thought so, too, and wanted to end the competition that way

but Lady Choi told me it's the duty of a competitor...

to wait for her and more so, because it's your birthday

Then who's been making these dishes?

This child, who is Lady Han's assistant, has been making them

There is no need to ask anymore It's already settled now

Your Majesty, please listen to me first

She's the one who risked her life for her teacher's will

She seems to be doing the same here so please have mercy on her

Yes, Your Majesty, more importantly, this is your birthday feast...

before it's a competition I'm afraid this may spoil the feast

I don't think it'll be too late if you consider this after the feast

Sure. I'm sorry for raising my voice at a time like this...

And since her food isn't that bad, we'll just continue

We'll just continue

Sure, Your Majesty

Isn't it over now?

Over? I think it's just continuing Jang-Geum won this one, right?

Of course!

Why's the King's Mother doing that when the outcome is obvious?

It looks like a rib dish That's prawn, and this is...?

It's mushroom ribs

Mushroom ribs?

Yes. A rib was wrapped around the mushroom, then roasted

It's easy to eat as well

Yes, ribs have always been a hassle to eat...

but this is easy to eat and tasty

The mushroom is very aromatic, too

Isn't this a prawn dish we often see?

The taste is clearly different from the normal dish. How did you do it?

It's drunken prawn

Drunken prawn? The prawns drank too much?

Yes

Three steps of devotion was put into it

Three steps of devotion?

First of all, live prawns had to be taken from sea water

Then washed with soil water to remove all the toxins...

and it was put in medicinal wine then cooked over heated pebbles

What a great effort...

Yes, I think that's where the taste comes from

Wow, so you can put shrimp in liquor

I know. Lady Choi is surely different

Of course, how can a mere assistant beat her?

Yes, but the fact that Jang-Geum won even once is amazing

What's going on?

Who's winning?

One more win and it's all over

Aren't you Lady Han of the Royal Kitchen?

Excuse me?

I'm Lt. General Min Jung-Ho of the Royal Guards

I'm here at the request of Mr. Gang

I see

Escort her to the palace quickly

Let's go

Search this place thoroughly!

I guess it'll be over after this

Yes, it's your best dish, so who can dare to come even close?

How come Lady Han isn't coming? It's only making it hard on you

What now, Jang-Geum? It's all over if you lose one more time

And she was going to prepare turtle stew for this round

It's much better than your dish What now... what now...?

Yeun-Seng. There's a time when you just have to go

What do you mean?

You just have to go along with the given circumstances

This is one of those times

We must just go along Without any fear or worries

Isn't that right, Mother? All I have now is what you gave me

Please help me... please...

Please go ahead and try

The meat is so soft, it melts in my mouth

It's the meat of a baby boar

Baby boar? I tried it during one of my hunting trips

It tasted very unique so I wanted my mother to try it sometime

I also put in ginseng, dates, gingko, medicinal angelica tree, garlic...

tofu, green onions and walnuts, too

I also put in zeolite to purify the water, increase the taste

That's why it melts on the tongue and in the throat as well

What did you put in?

I put in dates, chestnuts, pine nuts, ginseng, angelica roots, figs

black rice, black beans and others

That's not it... she wants to know where this aromatic...

and tangy taste is coming from

It comes from terra flava usta

Terra flava usta?

It's the clay from the bottom of the stove

You can get reddish dirt and when you use the dirt...

to spread over the chicken before cooking it, you can get such a taste

Really? Dirt can give a spicy flavor?

Yes, I tasted it myself and it tasted a little spicy and salty

It's amazing how you could get such a taste from dirt

There's no smell of chicken and the meat is very soft, too

Madam, what happened to you?! We thought we'd die worrying

Something came up. So what's going on with the competition?

Jang-Geum already lost three times

And if she loses again, it's all over

Jang-Geum did what?

Madam?! What happened to you?!

It's really hard to decide

But looking at the ingredients...

I'll have to go with this one

It's surely extraordinary that she has made a taste

that is better than the baby boar, using only terra flava usta

I think so, too

Thank you, Mother

Madam, Jang-Geum did it!

Yes, she did it with what we thought was impossible!

Jang-Geum is my daughter

Madam, but you shouldn't lose Go to the kitchen right now

Yes, Madam

Go now, Madam

No, this is already Jang-Geum's competition

What happened?

What happened?

So you won!

You're really amazing! You're so great!

And if you lose the next one, it'll be all over...

so should we still serve that?

I'll try Lady Choi's dish first this time

The taste is first-class since you made mixed rice with eggs of pickled crab

Yes, Mother

You overpraise

How dare you put a pot here?

Is there a reason for this?

Yes, ma'am

It's different from regular mixed rice

It's perfect for cold weather like this

Yes, I was worried that some of us might suffer from indigestion...

because of the cold, but eating warm rice like this relaxes my insides

Did you consider such things when making this?

Even though she's only an assistant, she is very considerate

And she managed to change the regular mixed rice taste...

by only making minor changes to the preparation method

She's very smart

Now, it's 3 to 3

How frustrating!

The only thing that's remaining is mixed fruit punch now...

Madam, I have given my best to prepare the dessert...

Please trust me

It all depends on this dessert, and I think it's too plain

No. This is my best food for the King

Your dessert, fried root of bonnet bellflower, is excellent

I'll ask since the last dessert is here

The last assignment was to prepare your best dish for the King

What was the best dish you prepared?

It was the steamed baby boar

And was it the chicken for you?

No, it wasn't

Then?

Actually, Lady Han was going to prepare turtle stew related to...

her pal but she couldn't prepare it

Then you two didn't prepare your best dish?

Your Majesty, but I did prepare my best food

You?

What is it?

It's wild berry snack

What?

You mean this wild berry snack?

Yes, Your Majesty

Why is this your best dish?

Wild berry is the last food I fed my mother before she died

I was very worried for my mother who couldn't eat because...

she was hurt so I picked some wild berries and

chewed them up myself to put into her mouth

My mother ate them and replied with a smile and then passed away

Your Majesty is the father of all people

Please take care of all people just as my mother had replied with a smile

even after eating humble food

I prepared it as if I was preparing it for my mother

It's delicious

I won't forget how your mother felt when she had to leave you

I won't forget your mother who would've worried...

how you were going to live by yourself

And in the same manner, I will manage the nation's affairs

The wild berries are the best food for me

And you're Chosun's best Lady of the Royal Kitchen!

I have nothing more to say since you say that

Oh, no, Mother, it was only my opinion of her

You should decide as you're supervising the competition

I know, but if that's your will...

Oh, no, Mother, don't follow my opinion, follow yours

Well...

Your Majesty, I'd like to meet her teacher regardless of the results

Me, too, but...

I'm sorry to interrupt, but Lady Han has returned

Really? Then call her in! I'd like to meet her now!

When I heard that you were late and you didn't even have...

the ingredients, my heart had already leaned towards Lady Choi

But the Highest Lady should be able to train people this way...

and it's your virtue to have such a child

Looking at you, I see that my thoughts aren't wrong

And if your assistant's skills are this good

what more do we need to say of your skills?

The King is unhesitant to praise you and that child

So I think the King's will is firmer than mine...

therefore, to respect the King's will...

I designate Lady Han as the Highest Lady of the Royal Kitchen

This is great!

Unbelievable...

You should've done it, Madam

But what happened? I heard the ship went backwards

Were you kidnapped?

I think they were trying to make me miss the competition

Oh, my! They even thought of such schemes?

Then could the spoiling of ingredients have been planned, too?

See? I told you about seeing Jang-Geum in my dream last night...

and told you that I thought Lady Han would win

I know... if it wasn't for you, I'd still be at a loss right now

But wouldn't it be weird to prepare food for Jang-Geum right after she won?

When did we worry about such things?

You're right...

That's why people like us don't even imagine being the Highest Lady

So we can live comfortably

Actually, even if someone gave me the position for free...

I wouldn't take it. You saw it, too That suffocating tension...

and whenever the King's Mother says this and that

Right. I prefer working under them and eating delicious food

Yes! That's right! So we can just stick to the winning side...

show minimum effort and live comfortably, quietly for a long time

Now I see you're the wisest person

From now on, I'll just do whatever you do

Jang-Geum likes persimmon wraps, right?

Yes

What are you eating right now?

Mother, thank you. I was able to do it, because of you

Thank you, Mother

Aren't you Lady Suh?

Yes. It's my shift tonight

Oh, I heard that you helped out Lady Han

Thank you very much

Actually, I couldn't be of any help to her

But I caught all of the kidnappers and turned them in to the police

By tomorrow, we should be able to find out who was behind it all

You did?

Yes

What you did today was very beautiful

You being persistent to the end, and what you said serving dessert...

Those words will remain in my heart

You're making me blush

What are you doing here?

I was wondering how the investigation of...

the gang who kidnapped the court lady was coming along

Kidnapped the court lady?

I turned them in yesterday

Well, they found them to be merchants who were on their way...

so we're releasing them today

What? They clearly kidnapped a court lady

They said she wanted to get off the boat as

she realized she was mistaken

but they couldn't let her off as they were in a hurry

That's what the head of the police ordered...

so why don't you go and talk to him about it?

I'm sorry for the trouble

Don't let this happen again

Yes, sir

Did you come to see me?

Yes, sir. It's about the gang that my team brought...

Who are you talking about?

The guys who took the court lady...

I released them

But, they had clearly kidnapped a court lady

I looked into it already The court lady wasn't careful...

and took the wrong merchant boat, and insisted on getting off...

so they just let her go...

And I heard you arrested them without...

telling them the reason, so there were many complaints

This is the paper that certifies the liquor was given to the King, eh?

Of course, that's right

Yeah, right! You think I'd be fooled by your writing?!

How did you know the characters?

I don't know it, of course I was just pretending

Anyway, whether it was written by Lady Han or yourself...

this says the King drank our red ant liquor, right?

Yes, he liked it very much Look here, He liked it very much

That's enough, then. All that matters is that the King drank it

It's still not clear whether the King has drunk it or not...

That's OK. Regardless of that

he called Jang-Geum the best lady of the court

Yes! That's right!

Then we'll take advantage of that Many know we're her parents

Other families of court ladies live like that, too

Would that be OK with Jang-Geum?

Of course! We aren't selling anything illegal here...

Red ant liquor is valuable We'll just use her name

and sell it at a little higher price

But...

What do you mean, but? You don't need to worry...

so, just go and catch some red ants

No, I don't want to

What? No?!

Red ants bite! I can't catch red ants

Why you...! You always need a good beating, huh?!

I can catch everything except red ants

Sir! What brings you here?

I came to ask about yesterday's incident

Sure, why don't we go to Hyang-Keum and talk over some drinks?

I've trained her well while you were gone. Let's go

Did she know she was getting on a merchant boat?

Of course! They told me it was headed to Ma-Po Market

and that's why I told her to take it

Did they really say they were headed there?

Of course, why else would I let her get on that boat...

when she was in such a hurry?

Then should I bring Hyang-Keum to Ma-Po?

What? Ma-Po?

He's Lt. General of the Royal Guards and your life could change...

depending on how well you talk

Sir

So what would you like to know?

Last time, I saw Choi Pan-Sul and Park Bu-Kyum of the Food Services here

Do they meet regularly?

Choi Pan-Sul comes here all the time and Park Bu-Kyum visits here often

and from time to time, Sir Oh Kyum-Ho comes here, too

You mean Sir Oh Kyum-Ho of the Food Services?

Yes, those three come here often for drinks

You were so confident of it, but what's this now?

I am ashamed of this

It's big trouble because we didn't secure the Royal Kitchen...

but more so because I'm head of the Food Services

Stay outside for a moment

The Royal Kitchen inspects most of the products that come to the palace

so you might have a hard time monopolizing...

as the sole supplier of the products any longer

I can't do anything about it if the administrators of each part...

receiving the products oppose it

That's why I'm asking you, sir We must turn this around somehow

The King's Mother has declared it when everyone was present

How can we turn it around?!

Lady Choi said the King's Mother has changed her mind about it

And Lady Han would never stand on your side

Please understand

It's not much, but...

What's this?

Why... you...

Please inform me

Your Majesty, Lady Jung is here

Let her come in

Have a seat

You don't seem to be doing well What happened to you?

Yes, Your Majesty I came to ask you for something

Ask me?

I don't think I can carry out work as the Highest Lady anymore

And since the next Highest Lady has been decided...

I want to leave things to Lady Han and leave as soon as possible

So, please permit this

The King would be sad to hear this Is it really hard for you to stay?

Yes, Your Majesty

That's what life is like... Sure, go ahead and do that

Yes, Your Majesty. I'll do so after three days of preparation

It's time for Lady Han's promotion and time for Lady Jung's leave

so be sure to take good care of her

An order was given to change the Highest Lady in three days

What are you going to do?

I can't just let her have it

How? You lost to an assistant!

I have nothing to say, but Madam, Lady Han didn't even compete

The King's Mother had pointed out the unfairness of the competition, too

She just didn't want to go against the King's will

And as you know what'll happen...

after Lady Han gets promoted, you have to help me

Countless court ladies have received help from myself and my brother

The court ladies of various kitchens have been trusting and depending on me

Do you think they'd be able to serve Lady Han as the Highest Lady?

Then what are you going to do?

I'm going to gather them as one

and the King's Mother is going to support my actions as well

I'm going to transfer it to you after three days

Madam, I still need you here

Be quiet. You've bossed me around enough

I'll transfer it to you myself before my health worsens

Listen up!

After three days, we're going to have a ceremony of appointing...

Lady Han as the Highest Court Lady

So Lady Min, make sure to delegate all the work to the ladies...

so everything can be ready without any mistakes and...

also tell the other ladies to prepare for the day

Yes, Madam

Quiet down and come gather here!

You'll give me an excuse after taking all the rice paddies with my help?

No, but I'm in a position to directly uphold the King's Mother's orders

That's what I'm trying to do If you really have a firm will...

then you should let all kitchen court ladies...

know of the will of the King's Mother

You also know that the King's Mother doesn't approve of it

She's the one who knows about the unfairness and

the ranks of the court ladies better than anyone else

I'll be counting on you

I know your family is going through hardships

If you help me out, I'll make sure your family

can stand on its own like other families

Other court ladies have come to my side already...

so you don't have to worry about that

Madam, court ladies of the royal harem are waiting

Really?

We just came and waited for you because we felt anxious

We can never serve someone like Lady Han

And I heard the King's Mother opposed it

We've been serving you at heart for a long time now

I'm grateful to hear that

So, be firm and don't worry about ladies under us as well

Thank you

That's what we wanted to tell you

We'll leave now

So they decided to do it after three days

Let them go ahead...

Didn't you learn how to bow? Put your left hand on top!

Not put the right hand on top of the left?

You taught us that way last time

When did I? Put the left hand on top of the right hand!

Understand?

That's not right. Yeun-Seng told us...

to put the right hand on top of the left

Be quiet! Are you going to listen to me or not?!

Is this how it's going to end?

Lady Choi can't possibly let this happen

What do you mean?

What are you trying to find out, kid?!

I know. You don't like Lady Han becoming the Highest Kitchen Lady

What?! You want to be spanked, don't you?! Come here!

Madam, it's Chang-Yee

What brings you here?

They're my friends from the sewing house

And?

We've collected money to prepare silk for you

Silk?

So we can make a dress for you

I'm just a court lady I can just wear what I have

Oh, no, Madam... Please stand

I'm not sure if we'll have everything done by tomorrow morning

I know. I think we'll have many things missing...

because this happened so quickly

I think it's because Lady Jung wants to hand it over herself...

since her health is deteriorating

I know

I liked Lady Jung. Even though she could be scary at times...

she could be very humorous and open-minded about things...

Lady Han is less like that

You're right

I'll tell on you! You're saying things behind her back!

You started it, though

Is that so?

By the way, where is Yeun-Seng when we're so busy like this?

Leave her alone. She's probably feeling very sad right now

OK

Madam, do you really have to leave tomorrow?

This will only relieve your pain for a short time

OK

Is it that bad?

Please come back tomorrow morning

Sure

Madam...

Stop crying and help me sit up

Madam...

I'm going to clean up the room, so you help me, too

Madam, why do you want to pack already?

It's better for the person leaving not to leave any trace of herself

You should forget me as soon as I leave

No way, Madam I will never forget you

Come here

How can I leave a baby like you here?

You can't even run when things get hard

How can I leave you?

What are you doing here? Please stay outside

You can stay out Just sit down and eat tomorrow

She wants to cook the food for Lady Jung herself

Madam, Lady Jung wants to see you now

Sit down

I'll be leaving the wearisome palace tomorrow

I liked the palace so much when I visited with my dad during childhood

I came to the palace even though my father tried to hold me back

But the fancy palace I saw in my childhood was just an illusion

Though always crowded with people, the palace has been lonely

Envy and jealousy probably existed because they were tired of loneliness

Tired from loneliness, they probably fought to be recognized by the King

Tired of loneliness, they probably flattered others to gain wealth

Tired from loneliness, they probably had to use trickery to gain power

Have some sympathy. Have pity on them

Treat others with sympathy as much as you want to follow the principles

If you don't, others will be intimidated by your determination

and they'll be scared of it

It's not easy, of course... to be determined and...

yet be open-minded towards others

But you can do it Just be more open-minded

Those are the last words I wanted to leave with you

Human affairs are difficult Since you're better at kitchen work

I have no worries about that

No, you shouldn't make obeisance to a sick person

That's for a dying person

What are you doing here when your body is aching?

I know I've been disrespectful to you

Please pour all the hatred on me

Please be merciful towards Lady Han

Please let her go this time

It's my last wish as an old lady who's been at the palace for 60 years

Please step down quietly

Don't we have the Highest Lady appointing ceremony here?

Lady Han wasn't the one who participated in the competition

And it wasn't fair from the start because of Lady Jung's protection

Even the King's Mother is opposing it

Then we can't accept her

And we can't accept Lady Han's social standing as well

Yes, though they say those who become a court lady become a middle person

there are laws of the court ladies

Though peasants or laborers come sometimes

high positions have been occupied by those of noble birth for generations

And we're talking about the Royal Kitchen

We can't have a court lady who is a slave's daughter as the Highest Lady

We can't allow such a thing

That's right. The line between the nobles and commons is strict and...

she should be grateful that she could enter the palace

How dare she take the position of the Highest Lady?

I remind you again that it's the King's kitchen

How could such a person of low birth think of coming here?

So we can't accept her by any means We can't serve her as our superior

So please tell the King's Mother

The King's Mother will surely approve of our wish as well

She has been disapproving of Lady Han all along

Yes, even the King acknowledges and withdraws decisions...

when the other officials oppose

Surely, the King's Mother won't be indifferent about chaos in hierarchy

Madam, what are we going to do now? None of the ladies are going there

Even the worker ladies?

No... it feels like you'll become a rebel by going there. What now?

I know, what should we do? It's past the time for the ceremony

Madam, if I want to live quietly for a long time, what should I do?

I don't know. I've never experienced this before

Madam!

Let's just pretend we're sick in bed I think that's the best way for now

What are you saying is the best way now?

What's going on? How come no one's showing up?

That's...

Speak up

I didn't want to go, but they threatened me to join the meeting...

Who? Who did such a thing?

All the court ladies of the kitchen and royal families gathered...

You have to make a quick decision now Please tell the King's Mother

What do you think you're doing here?!

I'm still the Highest Court Lady of the Royal Kitchen

The court ladies of the kitchen, you follow me right now!

Head Lady, I've asked you already

Lady Choi, I told you already and you had to do this terrible thing!

You'll surely be punished...!

Madam! Madam!