What? Why would the flour that you've been protecting disappear?!
She hasn't done anything wrong Punish me instead
Mother told me to give the dough back to you...
She should fail for losing the ingredients
But the taste is first place If she can make it taste like that...
without using the flour...
Wouldn't it be better to follow the rules?
(Episode 9)
Lady Jung, go ahead and tell the results first
I'll announce the result of this competition
The first place is Choi Keum-Young!
Keum-Young, the first place winner, will receive a prize
Next are the girls who have failed and will be going out
Park Soon-Yun from the Prince's Palace
Kim Oh-Ryun from the Prince's Palace
Park Duk-Keum from the King's Mother's palace
Kim Sun-Bi from the King's palace
Jo Jae-Hang from the Prince's palace
Jun Mi-Keum from the King's palace
Park Ge-Keum from the Prince's palace
Jung Eun-Bi from the King's Mother's palace
And lastly...
Suh Jang-Geum from the King's palace
Madam!
I'm sorry, but all who tasted her dish said it was very delicious
Are you saying that there's a problem with our decision?!
Oh, no! I don't mean that...
Taking care of the ingredients is a basic skill for a kitchen lady
And using ingredients not passed out for this competition...
is breaking the rule That's why she failed
It's true that we were very strict with our evaluation
but there was nothing we could do since it was the command of the King
Those who failed should pack up tonight
and leave the palace tomorrow
Here enters the King's Mother!
Your Majesty, what invites your presence here?
This is great, I've visited the competitions...
of royal attendant ladies, and of the sewing ladies, too
I'm only grateful for your immeasurable grace
This looks special
She won first place. Please try it
Is that so?
It's good. As it's still warm, the taste hasn't gone away
During the feasts, she observed that...
the dumplings were getting cold very quickly
And she made the skins using the broth to add taste
and that's why we picked her as first place
I see
What do you call this vegetable you used instead of flour wrapping?
They're called cabbages. They came in as herbs to be grown in the...
Herb Garden but she said she used it because it tasted good as food
Is that so?
It's very good
Isn't this squash? I didn't know it could taste like this
This is perfect for my eldest son
So which place did she win?
She... failed
What? She failed? Why?
She lost her flour
so she failed for using other ingredients
Did you make this?
Yes
How did you lose your flour?
Your Majesty, it was actually my fault
You, Lady Noh?
Yes... it's a long story. Please forgive her, since it was my fault
You could've made dumpling rolls or made it with fish
so is there a special reason why you used that?
The competition is for the King's feast And he has a weak stomach
Cabbage is good for the stomach and its juice prevents colds
And you normally give squash to people with indigestion
And I heard that the food in the palace sets a precedent...
for the food that people eat Cabbage is something that...
can be grown everywhere although it's very expensive right now
Squash grows in every house But flour is too expensive for people
Lady Noh shouldn't be forgiven, but receive praise
If you hadn't taken her flour away how could she have thought such things?
If food tastes good, is healthy, and is common
what else can be better than that?
And besides, this child has a very spontaneous mind, too
so how could we cast her out of the palace?
Let her stay, so she can make healthy food
not only for the King but for the people as well
Yes, Your Majesty
Who's this kid named Jang-Geum anyway?
I heard she even went to the herb garden
She sounds talented
She looked pretty too
And now she's even won the King's Mother's favor
Then shouldn't the first place be hers?
I know, even the King's Mother acknowledged the taste
Yes, the first place ought to change
Hey, what kind of nonsense are you talking about?!
The first place was rightly given to Keum-Young!
Jang-Geum was only lucky!
Whether she was lucky or not, it's a great thing...
to receive praise like that from the King's Mother
How dare you talk to me like this! Come here!
Don't be too concerned More attention is normally given...
to those who do well rarely, not often
So what if a girl like that does well once in a while
Don't you think?
Where are all the ghosts? They should take that girl away
Don't be like that
Why did you do that? What if something bad happened to you?
I don't know. I just went nuts when I thought of you failing
Thanks
Anyway I'm so happy for you And I'm so grateful to Lady Noh too
Here's your dress
I made it with all my heart's devotion
Even though the official training of court ladies starts tomorrow
we have gathered here tonight to take the secret oath of silence
This oath of silence is to be kept only among the court ladies
Would you keep this promise?
Yes, ma'am
Go ahead
When I was young, one of the girls under me was disgraced
by a Chinese envoy in the Guesthouse
And her pregnancy was discovered by others at full term
The rules of court ladies are more strict than the laws of the nation
Thus there is no exception even though it was an envoy's wrongdoing
So I made her commit suicide
But I couldn't bring myself to kill the baby she gave birth to
So I raised her secretly in my quarters
That child still doesn't know that I'm the one who killed her mother
and thinks of me as her own mother
There's a reason why I'm telling you this now
First, no matter what the reason you should exchange death...
for the betrayal of the King That's the reason why Lady Noh...
did that to a girl who was like her own daughter
The fact that she didn't kill the baby and the fact that court ladies...
have raised the baby together in the quarters, show you the bond
that exists between the court ladies which is stronger than blood
That is the second law of the court ladies
And lastly, the older girls already know this story
But because we have not told anyone else
Lady Noh and that child have been able to live in safety
This is what being a court lady means
You should now understand why we're taking this oath of silence
Go ahead
Repeat after me
"I do not allow any type of betrayal of His Majesty"
"I do not commit adultery with the eyes"
"I do not commit adultery with the mouth"
"I do not commit adultery with the hands"
"I do not commit adultery with the heart"
"Such things apply not only to men, but also to other women as well"
"I take care of my friend as I'd take care of myself'
"I tell no one else about happenings among the court ladies"
Mother, I have finally become an official court lady...
in the Royal Kitchen as you were
I'll wreak your vengeance and fulfill your dreams
Ma'am!
What is it?
Someone from the Royal Guards told me to deliver this to you
Madam! I can't possibly use the same room with Yeun-Seng!
Same here. Please, Madam
What is the problem?
She always gets on my nerves
Same here
What kind of nonsense is this?!
We taught you to be nice to each other!
How dare you blame each other like this?!
That's not what I mean...
Enough. If I hear such things again you'll be punished with a rod!
Do you understand?
We three are sharing a room together
You get your things organized, too
I'm going to do it tomorrow
I can't sleep in a messy room! So get it organized now
I'm tired. I'll do it tomorrow
I feel so tired I should go to sleep now
What's this?! All this hair
Hey, clean this up
What did you just do? Clean it up
More will fall tomorrow I'll clean it up tomorrow
They'll get on my blankets and clothes!
Clean it up now
Can't you hear me?
Clean it up now!
OK
Is this a face powder?
Why you...!
Who told you to touch this?
Why did you push me like that? Aren't we friends?
Friends?! Who says I'm your friend?!
Lady Choi, of course You think I like being with you?
Hey, turn off the lights
I can't sleep with the light on!
I can sleep without any problem
Why you! Turn it off now!
Ouch!
Be quiet! Quiet!
It hurts! What did you do that for?!
For you to hurt!
What's wrong, Yeun-Seng?
I can't possibly stay with Young-Ro What should I do, Jang-Geum?
Why?
I don't know. She'd hit and pinch me at night
Really? How...
It's true! She said I touched her and I talked in my sleep
and she hits me What should I do, Jang-Geum?
What a liar! Then am I lying?!
Of course! Lady Jung hadn't made a single complaint about me
so what kind of nonsense is that?
You're driving me nuts! You're so filthy too!
She pretends to be so clean!
What noise is this?!
What's all this commotion about at this time of the night?
Madam, please...
Please...
Why... Go bring my rod
Sure
What's going on?
They say they can't share a room together
So I was scolding them
How dare you...!
Madam, please...
Madam, I'm more desperate than her
Will you receive 100 whips on your calves or share the room?
One... hundred?
One... hundred? I'll receive them
Change it for them They should at least...
have a good night's sleep in this stressful palace
Thank you! Thank you, Madam!
Thank you, Madam!
Jang-Geum...
What?
I'm so happy
Me, too
You know that we have to bring food from home when we visit tomorrow
What are you going to do?
I know your home is having difficulties as well as mine
Madam... Madam... please, just this once. Madam...
Jang-Geum, are you sleeping?
No, ma'am
Then come over for a moment
Yes, ma'am
This is a kitchen knife
You became an official court lady now so you ought to have your own
Thank you
This belonged to the person who was my best friend
She has a moving story to tell like Lady Noh
Then why are you giving this to me?
She wanted to become the Highest Kitchen Lady with her skills
She was very curious and kind-hearted like you
I've never forgotten her although I haven't seen her again
and I may never see her again
This is her knife
Do you understand why I'm giving this to you?
Yes, Madam
OK. Go back and sleep Tomorrow's trip will tire you out
Sure
Oh, my back...
She looks so much like Jang-Geum...
It is Jang-Geum!
Duk-Gu!
Jang-Geum!
It's alright. Just have a seat
So you can stay there till you die, huh?
You shouldn't speak like that to someone who has become...
an official 9th class rank court lady Right, Jang-Geum?
You should use honorific now
You can just speak to me casually as always
But even so... would that be OK then?
Of course. I couldn't have done this without you two
You're like a mom and dad to me
You sleep outside tonight
Me? Why?
She said I'm like her mom There's something...
she and I need to talk about on her "wedding" day
Let me play, too
Get out! Didn't you hear me?!
I'm going out...
Why do you make me speak twice? Hurry! That old...
There's nothing one can do since you like being there
but living as a court lady is much more difficult than you think
Just as meeting one's parents is natural
it's natural to marry a man
so it must not be easy to live without one
Actually, I'm like a court lady, too
But it's better than not having one
But what can you do? You should walk the path you've chosen
It's good that you're going, but you seem to be in a hurry
One can finish the journey if one takes breaks on the way
Do you understand?
Yes
Go ahead
The Lady is here
Let her come in
Yes, sir
Sit down
I guess one can't ignore the family background after all
I heard you won first place in the competition
I still have much to learn
You've learned to be humble, too
You overpraise me
She's someone who will succeed Lady Choi
Please treat her favorably
She seems to be more ambitious than Lady Choi
She was different from others from her childhood
Really?
We'll have to teach her how to accomplish her ambitions
We also need to teach her how to do the things she doesn't like as well
Your family's discipline is well-known And that's why I like you
I'm only embarrassed to hear such a praise
Please go ahead and drink
Jang-Geum, how can you leave so early?
The meal is ready and even the bath water is ready
I have to visit someplace
Jang-Geum, here
What's this?
You know she has to bring back some food
It's OK...
You don't need to thank me. Here
What's this?
I spent 10 nyang for the food You'll be receiving pay, right?
Just pay back with rice every month
And that'll be for a year Since there's some labor fee, too
so it'll be one and a half years I'll mark whenever I go to the palace
So just keep it with you
How stingy of you. You were just talking about being her mom
I'm trying to raise her to be strong! Do you even understand?!
The world isn't that easy You think it's an easy world
and that's why you live like that!!
You have something to say?!
Just eat my food and be quiet!
Jang-Geum, am I strong?
Mother, I'm here
I'm here as a court lady now
Become the Highest Kitchen Lady of the Royal Palace, Jang-Geum
and write down my grievances in the secret document that's passed down
I hid my grievances in your Chinese character book
If you do enter the palace, you can find my recipe list
hidden in the main middle kitchen Use it when you need it
You'll find my breath there
Mother... I should be able to enter the middle kitchen now...
Once I find your list I should be able to find how you made your food
and lived in the palace I wouldn't feel lonely anymore
The first place winner Keum-Young will be Higher Court Lady
and the rest of you will be the Lower Court Lady
Keum-Young can do the work in the middle kitchen
but no Middle or Lower Court ladies can go there yet
And your job descriptions are written down
so ask your superiors and learn from them
Jo-Bang... you teach them for a while
Yes, ma'am
Now we need to prepare the tables
Yes, ma'am
What?
Aprons aren't for wiping hands
they're to prevent your dress from getting dirty
How can you prepare food for the King...
with hands that you wiped on that dirty apron?
I'm sorry. It became a habit...
There will be no lunch for you today
We'll check for fire prevention here
What brings you here this morning?
I heard new court ladies have come in...
What's this? I told you not to put wooden materials...
beside the fire. Who did this?
I'm sorry. I forgot...
You forgot? Do you think the fire is aware of such things?
Just how are you educating the girls?
I'm sorry
What's that?
Jang-Geum, did I tell you or not?
There's no lunch for you, too
You mean to serve irregularly shaped tofu to His Majesty?
And it's not just about the shape either
The seasoning doesn't get spread evenly
Are you the one who didn't put salt when boiling spinach?
I'm sorry
Other vegetables rot faster
if you put it with this kind of squash!
If the inspectors were here your pay would've been decreased
I'm sorry
His Majesty has finished his meal
Please go to the dining hall and eat
Why are you standing there?
Is it true we have caught her? Yes
Are you sure it's that woman who threw the daggers?
Yes
Let's go inside
Is it this woman? Yes
So did you get the map?
Yes
They scattered across the country to get all details
and there are many strange symbols too
Is she Japanese?
Yes
She says her father died during the Conflict at Three Ports
They are unrepentant of their wrongdoings
and she must've come to take revenge
Anyhow, good work Now that all the spies are caught
I can relax now, too
But it's strange how they have gone all over the country
and made detailed observations
They were probably only looking for products they can buy & sell
I'll report that this case has been closed
so you can turn her in to the Royal Police
Yes, sir
What does this mark represent over here?
He told you to turn me in to the Royal Police
I can't turn you in until you give me the answer
Are you going to disobey your superior?
Why you...!
Stop it
Even if you don't tell me, I'll carry this map
and go all over the country and find out what these mean
So don't waste your time and tell me
I should've killed that witch holding the golden pheasant
What? A witch who was holding a golden pheasant?
I hit your weak spots so even a master healer...
couldn't have saved you But she saved you somehow
Who did you see?
It's my fault for letting her go
Who was it? Who?!
What did she look like?
Sir, what are you looking for?
Do you sell golden pheasants here?
Only merchants from Ming China have them
you can't find it in a poultry house like this
Really?
Do you know when they come in?
They come in on the second day of next month
Actually, I'm looking for a woman who bought a golden pheasant
Which merchant should I meet to find that out?
I don't know, since I don't do any business with them
Is that so?
I'm sorry for not being able to help
No, it's alright
Sir, if you go to the head chef Gang Duk-Gu...
you may be... Gang Duk-Gu?
Yes, he was looking for a golden pheasant here a few months ago
and went to the merchants to buy it
Oh, I do remember that he was with some lady
Could it have been on the last day of the month, about 6 months ago?
I'm not sure about that, but it was about 6 months ago
Really? Where is his home?
I'm the head specialty chef Gang Duk-Gu and...
I heard you bought a golden pheasant with some lady
is this true?
Such a thing is...
Why do you ask?
I'm trying to find that lady Would you know where she is?
I don't know
What are you doing in front of a visitor?
How thoughtless of you! You don't know whether he's here...
only to meet her, or to arrest her So how can you talk like that?
He doesn't seem to be here to arrest her
How would you know that? Seeing how he knows about...
the golden pheasant, he may be from the police
You're right. She did tell us to keep it a secret
And even without that, there are other things about her, too!
What do you mean?
You never know what could happen to her if you aren't careful!
So you just keep quiet and let me do the talking, understand?
OK. OK
Hello?
Yes! I'll stay here
I believe it's not polite for a man to come like this
and ask for a lady
Please tell us why you want to meet her
I heard the lady who saved my life had a golden pheasant...
about 6 months ago That's why I'm trying to find her
That lady forgot this, so I wanted to return it
and express my thanks to her as well
If that's the case...
It's me
Huh?
I remember saving a guy who was lying on the ground...
on the way to prepare a golden pheasant dish at the chief s house
It must've been you
Is that so? Thank you
I was hurt because of an attack by a wild animal
and without your help, I could've died
You didn't even look like a human being when I first found you
So I used the herbs and ripped my skirt to tie you up and...
Witch! I'll take you to the police right now!
Sir, why?
How could you lie like this for this trinket?!
No, that's not...
I'm trying to find a person who even as a woman saved my life
And how could you be so wicked like this?
So be arrested now!
Sir, it's not what it seems...
I told you we should tell him the truth! We don't know yet!
Sir, please let me go over there and talk to my wife for a moment
What?
I told you we should just tell him
How do you know whether he's for real or not?
If something happens to Jang-Geum are you going to be responsible?
Is that why you said, "It's me" intently looking at the trinket?
Who says I was looking at the trinket? I was only...
I'm going to tell him everything
Let's ask Jang-Geum first
But we should at least find out who he is and where he lives
Sir... he isn't here
He's gone
He must be gone
It's as if he never came
That's right
Sir
I was on the way to look for you
What's the matter?
His Majesty has decided to go hunting tomorrow...
instead of 5 days later
Why?
The Observers have reported that it might rain that day
and messengers have come to say that Ming envoys...
may be arriving here in 5 days
I see...
we should get prepared in a hurry
I know it's sudden news, but Lady Min and Jo-Bang...
Keum-Young, and Jang-Geum will work under Lady Han
Yes, ma'am
I have to go meet the Head Lady
so start preparing when the list comes down from the eunuchs
Yes, ma'am
Jo-Bang and Keum-Young, you get the dishes and bowls
from the silverware manager
Yes, ma'am
Jang-Geum, you go to the Food Services and get the ingredients
Yes, ma'am
You have to move quickly. Understand?
Yes
Is everything ready?
Jang-Geum isn't here yet
Let's go
Yes, ma'am
It's strange
It is...
I added more liquor to get rid of this weird flavor
but this weird paste flavor isn't going away
It's strange
Madam!
What's wrong?
It's just that the broth tastes a little strange...
What did you do with the poison you took out from conch?
I took it out and put it over there...
I thought the white stuff was cartilage...
What?!
Lady Min! Jo-Bang!
Could she die?
No, but she won't wake up for another 3 to 4 hours
It's big trouble
Madam, didn't you taste some too?
Madam!
It's alright
The King will be back by around six
All the eunuchs have followed him, and the people here...
are the workers who are in charge of the fire
There's no other alternative The three of us must do it
Madam!
I don't think you can work in this condition
I must. After hunting, he'll be very hungry, and we can't make him wait
We'll have to make broth with what we have left
so throw that away
You can't do it...
We'll search the mountain to find the head eunuch
What good would that do? Is he going to make the food?
Even so...
Jang-Geum...
Yes
Help Keum-Young
Keum-Young, you're now in charge of this kitchen from now
Huh?
Since you started cooking from an early age
this should be no problem for you
Luckily we have a few side dishes and chefs will be cooking the game
so you only have to make a few side dishes and set the table
You can do it, right?
How could we do such a big job?
Sure, Madam, we'll try
OK. I'll go when I can walk again
Sure, Madam. I'll try with all my strength
I trust you. Since a lot of time has gone by, you must hurry!
Yes
If we don't do this right, it will fall on Lady Han
First of all, I'll make the fish and cucumber
so go wash the fish I'll slice the meat
Hey... Hey...
Where is Lady Han?
She's over there. What's the matter?
Oh, before that... Did you bring the ice by the way?
Yes
That's good. The head of Food Services told me to ask you
if you brought the ice and if so, to prepare cold noodles
What? Instead of a full meal?
The weather is cold, so warm food may be better
It's the order of His Majesty He has used much of his strength
and he said he wanted cold noodles
so please prepare for the other royal family members, too
Madam... Madam...
She's sleeping
What should we do? Shouldn't we tell the head of Food Services?
Let's do it. He'll be eating the game first when he comes back
so we have a little time
Yes, but have you ever made noodles before?
No, but I can do it
But we don't even have the broth
And we don't have enough meat, and there's no time
And it won't taste good either
That's true
Radish kimchi water!
This isn't enough for the royal family members too
even if we do put in more pear juice
It's added to the broth, but the taste would be lessened by the broth
What if...
Keum-Young!
What?
I'll be right back
We're in a hurry, so where?
It could greatly help the taste
Where?
I'm sorry. Just make the noodles and the broth. I'll be right back
Jang-Geum! Jang-Geum!
Grandpa, let me taste it
Sir... sir...
I'm in a hurry Please let me go first
Really? OK, then, line up
Huh?
Didn't you say you're going to wait?
No. Can I get the water first?
What?
I'm in a hurry, so I'll get the water first
You should've told me then I'm in no hurry
Instead of doing that, just take mine
Would that be OK with you?
It's the same water I drink everyday
Thank you!
What are you talking about?!
So you, the new court ladies, are making the food now?
This is outrageous!
Lady Han tried till the end and...
You should've reported it, then
She said there'd be no other way even if we made the report
You could've asked the commoners around here
Sir! Though we're not very experienced
we are ladies of the kitchen Please trust us
Lady Han told us that she trusts us too
Sure! I'll let you do this because I have no other choice right now
But if the King or his relatives show even a slight sign of disapproval
you will be severely punished
Do you understand?
You made the food without such confidence?!
That's not so. We'll do that, sir
Jang-Geum...
Jang-Geum!
The noodles are ready OK
The head of Food Services found out
If the King makes even a slight expression of disapproval
you and I and Lady Han will be punished greatly
Are you sure about this water?
This is my first broth for the cold noodles
Then...?!
Pear juice
Vinegar
Sugar
Salt
It's good
Now for the noodles
Sure