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!
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
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?