Father!

So did you catch it?

Where's Mother? Where is she?

Mother...

Follow me

What are you doing?
Didn't I tell you to follow me?

(Episode 2)

Stand up and tuck up your skirt

Tuck up your skirt

I told you not to go
to the mountains with boys

Eun-Sung really wanted to
catch a rabbit this time

Isn't Eun-Sung a lad
from the Jinsa household?

I told you not to mingle with children
of yangban(scholar-official) households

I was just going to stay
at the school and come right back

but Eun-Sung got a hold of me

You went to the school again
to secretly learn?

Is that true?

I told you not to go there!

Eun-Sung and Yun-Kwon, they all learn
Why can't I learn?

They're sons of yangban families,
and you're only...

a daughter of the low
baekjeong (butcher/ slave) class

But I like learning and
I learn better than Eun-Sung

Even so, no. Although it's the
rightful thing for yangban sons

to learn and become officials,
you could get into big trouble

for only learning the characters
as a daughter of the low class

How many times
do I have to tell you this?

Things yangban, jungin (lower middle),
yangin (higher middle)...

and baekjeong (butcher/ slave)
Are allowed to do are all different

A low class person could lose her life
just for imitating a yangban

Do you understand?

But Mother, we are not baekjeong

What?

What did you just say?

Father was a military officer...

How did you find that out? How?

I found his uniform and
name tag up there

My gosh...

It's my fault. She kept on
asking what it was and...

But still, she's too young...

I made her fully understand

No. You come over here
Make sure she won't say it

I'll do it. I'll tell her
and make her understand

Look. I'm for new brides

What brings you here?

Dropped by
I heard your knives are good

Can I take a look?

We only take orders
so we have no extras

If you want, we'll show you those

OK

We're both in big trouble now

How come?

I'm in trouble for telling you
And since Mother knows...

that you know about it, your calves
won't survive all the lashes

Mother is so harsh!

I think you are being extreme

What? Me?

How come you don't listen to her?

Mother always tells me not
to do the things I want to do

You like learning that much?

Yes, Father! It's truly amazing how
I can write the sky I see in that way

Look. How could you write
"black" like this?

Isn't it amazing?

Father. When will you go back
to being lower middle class?

I'm not sure...

Such time should come quickly
so I can learn and we can hold offices

But...

I know. I won't tell anyone else
about it until that time

You shouldn't tell anyone until
I tell you to. If you do...

You, Mother and I will die

When can you finish
if you start today?

It will take 5 days

OK. Then make 3 knives

You have time to drop by again?

I'll come back
after I go see the King

I see

Have you... seen me before?

No, I haven't

Do you know her?

No. She just made an order and left

She'll be back then...

You do a great job with your knives

I'll do a bad job from now on

You make no sense. Jang-Geum...

I told her so that she understands

Jang-Geum, do you really want
to learn the characters?

Yes

I'll start teaching you tomorrow,
so stop going to the school

Really? You know the characters, too?

But you must never go there again
Don't go to school or the mountains

or the town
Always stay with me, understand?

Yes, I will do that, Mother
I will be with you at all times

Please understand my fear
of losing your father and you

Yes, Mother. Don't worry,
I will never tell anyone

When did you learn the characters?
Father was right

He said that you are very talented
He said you can draw

and make clothes very well
And he said your cooking ability...

is the best in the world so that
even if you made a dish with dirt

it would be tasty. He told me
to become like you and I will

Sorry

She asked persistently, huh?

Actually, I told her to give her hope

When I told her
she can't learn as she's baekjeong

she let out a deep sigh

Don't be too hard on her

She has your brains and
she's adventurous like me

It's our fault if anyone is to blame

I know. That's why I'm afraid

What if something happens
to the poor thing?

I heard the King is terrible

I heard he killed his aunt

A slip of the tongue could kill you

If cunning people let on about it...

Be careful

Please be careful for Jang-Geum

Yeonsan-Kun meets
Shin (mother of deposed Queen Yoon)

This is the blood your mother shed
as she was dying

She asked as she was being killed
by the conspirators

that you wreak her vengeance
when you ascend the throne

Who was it? Whose conspiracy was it?
Who killed her?

Tell me... Tell me everything
I shall take revenge for her

Whether it was the Queen
or one of the former concubines

they'll all die by my sword
Tell me everything

10th year of Yeonsan-Kun's Rule,
Massacre of 1504

Father, Father
There must be a party

Should we go and see? Father

Anyone else want a challenge?
If you win, you'll win a bull!

Father, you try. Father...

I can't

Why not? You can lift
big rocks and huge metal, too

Try it, Father. Father...

Be quiet

My father will go out!

Are you coming out?

You have to win

That wretch has stabbed my side!
He stabbed me!

How dare you play against the rules!

Isn't he the blacksmith
who makes knives in Dongjin Village?

He must've stabbed him
with a knife he made

How dare a baekjeong wretch
join this gathering!

You baekjeong wretch!
Die, you scumbag!

He's not a baekjeong!
My father's not a low baekjeong!

He's a military officer
who protects the King!

My father is not a baekjeong
He's an officer of the Royal Militia

That's right! It's him!

It's that wanted wretch!

That's right! Let's catch him!

Father! Father!

Jang-Geum!

Arrest him!

Jang-Geum!

Father!

Jang-Geum...

No one knows what'll happen
if you're dragged away too

So be quiet and
go tell your mother quickly

They're late

Jang-Geum?

What's wrong?

What? Did something happen?

What is it? Where is Father?
He didn't come?

Tell me. How come you're by yourself?

Father has been arrested

What? How did it happen?

He was wrestling...

Where? Let's go there

Big trouble!

What happened?

My husband told me to tell you quickly
That's why I'm here

Did Jang-Geum's father take part
in killing the King's mother?

He must not have seen
the wanted poster

So what happened to him?
Did he go to the local office?

No, he went straight
to the governor's office

You know the King
is looking everywhere

to find his mother's murderers
You never know what could happen to you

So flee, flee from here

Go in and start packing

What are you looking for?

Trinket...

Hurry

Search the house!

They aren't here

Let's go

Stop right there!

Don't lose them!

That way!

Where are they?

Over there!

Over there! Catch them!
Hurry and don't lose them!

Mother...

If we go together we'll be caught
from the noise, so you hide here

How about you, Mother?

I'll find a place to hide

But, Mother... by myself...

I'll be back soon,
so don't make any noise

That way!

Stop! Catch her!

Stop right there!

Isn't this a triple trinket?
Oh, it's an inkwell

It's a portable inkwell for scholars

Since you like learning
more than the scholars

you can take it with you anywhere

But what good is an inkwell
without a writing brush?

It's here

You're the greatest, Father

Open the other one too

It's a silver blade
(normally used for suicide by women)

I'm not giving it to you to hurt
yourself with it like other women

Then why?

Your hands would get rough
poking and digging things

so use it instead

Jang-Geum

Yes, Father

You shouldn't tell anyone
until I tell you to. If you do...

You, Mother and I will all die

He's a military officer
who protects the King!

Father...

Jang-Geum! Jang-Geum...

Jang-Geum...

Jang-Geum, Jang-Geum...

Mother!

Jang-Geum!

Mother!

Mother, can we meet Father here?

I don't know. Let's wait and see

What happened to him?

He's been transferred to
Hanyang early this morning

He's not here

What? What do you mean?

He went to Hanyang

Since he left a day before us
we must hurry to catch up

Don't complain and just follow along

At least you saw him being
dragged away. Not me. Let's go

The weather's great

Be careful

Did the Royal Police & criminals
in custody come this way yesterday?

I'm not sure who they were,
but some people did come last evening

Why? You know them?

No

Wonder if more people will come...

Let's hurry

Stop! Stop!

Get on board. Thank you

You don't seem to have come from here
Where are you from?

I reside in Hanyang
and I'm going back

after a visit to my sick parents

Where are you headed?

What do you think?
To catch you-know-who!

I heard they're killing
so many people in Hanyang

that the slaves are increasing
with relatives of the deceased

I see

Jang-Geum,
we're very close to the city

I know you're tired,
but hang in there

OK, Mother
There's a house over there

OK, let's go and ask

Hello? Hello?

Who is it?

My back... What is it?

I have a question

What is it?

Do you know if the Royal Police
& criminals in custody passed by?

Someone told me
they passed by about an hour ago

So if they did pass by,
it shouldn't have been too long ago

Why do you ask?

There's something I have to find out

Pay up then

Huh?

It sounds important
So how could I tell you for free?

It's only...

Then forget it. I'm sleepy...

OK. How much will do?

Five

They didn't pass by

What?

They didn't pass by

Then where did they go?
Some people saw them for sure

Not for free

Give me the rest and I'll tell you

They're probably at the horse station,
since those going to Hanyang have to

cross this mountain pass
they normally stay there

a night and leave in the morning. OK?

Our pursuers might be on our track
so pretend to be a boy for a while

Sure

And you must not talk
to anyone else. Understand?

Yes

Hanyang is a very dangerous place,
so you have to obey my words. OK?

Yes

I have brought him here

Perish the thought!

I'll pay handsomely

Would even 1,000 nyang
be worth more than my life?

In these times...
The Prime Minister and...

even the Queen have been
killed for saying wrong things

So don't make mistakes
and go back now

These days, each day depends
on how the King feels

Madam... Madam...

We're out of abalones,
because of the daily feasts

Things are getting worse
We're running out of ingredients

and workers because more ladies
have become intimate with the King

See if we have any more clams

Yes, Madam

Madam, Madam

What is it?

What's this?

Some woman told me
to just bring it to you

Some woman? Who did she say she was?

She said you'd know when
you read the letter. Bye now

Myeong... so you're alive

Madam, I have to make a trip
outside of the palace

For what?

Eunuchs have asked to prepare
seafood soup for tomorrow

so I need to buy some
from Seogang with Eunuch Park

Didn't some come in last night
from the food dept?

The Queen asked for it
urgently this morning and...

the rest were in bad condition

Do you have to go there yourself?

All of the workers in the food dept
and eunuchs are unavailable

OK, you can go Yes, Madam

Myeong! Baek-Young!

You're alive, you're alive

Let me see you
You're Myeong for real, right?

Yes, it's me, Myeong,
your friend, Park Myeong

Oh, I'm so grateful...

How did he ever get involved in that?

Then are the rumors true?

The King gives no regard to
the degree of crimes committed

and he's even killing the doctors
who only followed orders?

It's unbearable to even watch
the King's increasing violence

Just recently he shot an arrow
at Eunuch Kim Chuh-Sun

who only spoke frankly to him
before the dancers and officials

But I'll try my best. If he was
imprisoned about two days ago

he ought to be in jail now
Don't lose hope yet

Even the King's Grandmother
couldn't do anything, so who can?

But I'll still try
You should at least meet him once

I'm so sorry
How could I be so powerless...

Don't say that
I wouldn't be alive without you

If I imagine the time you put in
the antidote risking your life

how can I give up
under any circumstance?

Madam, the recording of
the main palace event is all done now

Good work. Now start preparing
for the July festival with Lady Han

Sure. But have you seen Lady Han?

Why?

I want to talk to her
about tomorrow's meal

She went to Seogang. She said
eunuchs asked for seafood tomorrow

That's what I want to talk
to Lady Han about

Eunuch Park requested
steamed sea bream

What? Lady Han told me that she
was going to Seogang with Park

It's true. She told me that
the King wanted some fish and...

she had asked Park to go with her

I just came from meeting Eunuch Park

Then are there two Eunuch Parks
for the King's Kitchen?

Madam, I'm back

So did you get the fish?

Yes. Fortunately, I was able to
get it from Merchant Lee

And Eunuch Park's back too?

We parted at the eunuchs' quarters

OK, go now

She only wants to say bye
before his last parting

So she isn't his wife for sure?

She's his younger sister

OK. Bring her to the Royal Police
Office at noon two days later

Thank you

Madam, I'll see you later

OK, and don't forget to
get some dried fish, too

Yes, Madam

Myeong... Are you there, Myeong?

How can a woman who took poison
be alive and walking about?

That's why I'm telling you this

It's unlike her... she must not
have double-checked

She left behind the seed of trouble

That's why it's big trouble

We've told the superiors
that she had died of illness

but if she appears all of a sudden
to tell the truth

it's hard to know how Head Lady will
react even though she's on our side

And if Lady Park is holding a grudge
against us she could tell anyone

You know we're not
the King's favorite ones

because of our close ties
to Yim Sa-Hong

Yes, doing such things to the King's
Grandmother was more than enough...

of a sign of an intention
to dethrone the King

This isn't just about Aunt or myself

The fate of our family
may depend on this

OK

I'll keep you informed
of Lady Han's movements

so I trust that you will
take care of the rest

I said OK

Tell your brother to send
some men to Tangchun Fortress

from Sir Choi's house
and you follow Lady Han

Also tell Sir Choi that we'll
be checking again tonight

Would you do me a favor? Huh?

Who are we going to meet?

She's a very close friend of mine
Be polite to her

Sure

Can we meet Father when she comes?

I don't know
We'll have to wait and see

I think she's coming

Who are you?

What? Men took the two
to Choi Pan-Sul's house?

Yes, Madam

I wasn't told that she had a boy

He was with her

I guess when Lady Choi comes
we'll find out

None of the servants
ought to know about this

so lock them up and keep them quiet

Open up! Open up!

What is it?

Someone has seen family members
of the felon entering this house

Family members of the felon,
come out right now!

What are you talking about?

Someone who has seen
the family members of Suh Cheon-Su

entering this house has reported to
the Inspector General. Bring them out!

I'm Major Merchant Choi under the
command of His Excellency Yim Sa-Hong

Why would I hide such people?

Search the house!

They're here!

I'll report this to
the Inspector General. Let's go!

I'm sorry, Myeong. This was all
I could think of to save you

But isn't living as a slave
better than dying?

We can't allow it. If she is
handed over to the Royal Police

her identity would be revealed and
our secrets would be disclosed

Though it may be a different matter
while the King is alive

if he happens to die,
our family will be ruined

We must survive no matter who
happens to hold the throne

For that to happen, we must not
allow such disclosure

We must do something no matter what

before she's turned over
to the Royal Police

Pan-Sul, we must hurry

Pan-Sul

OK. Jang, are you out there?

Yes, sir Bring Pil-Du to me

Who are these wretches?

Catch them! Stop there!

Catch them!

Mother! Mother!

Mother...

Catch him!

Don't lose him!

Mother...

So they lost her?

An arrow struck her side,
so she won't survive long

She must be hard to get rid of

Brother said he will
find her no matter what

Father was right
He said that you're very talented

He said you can draw
and make clothes very well

And he said your cooking ability is
the best in the world so that...

even if you made a dish with dirt

it would be tasty. He told me
to become like you and I will

"Dear Jang-Geum..."

Honey, what should I do?
What about our Jang-Geum?

Is it because of me after all?

Is it because you met me
that these things have happened?

Honey, what now? I'll die here
without seeing you and Jang-Geum...

He said the third woman is
"ho," (good) "ho"

"ho," a compound word of
"yeo"(woman) and "ja"(child)

Oh, my goodness! Oh! Jang-Geum

Jang-Geum is the third...

Mother, look at these
I brought something to eat

OK. Jang-Geum, listen to me first

Yes, Mother

Come sit beside me

Jang-Geum

Father who's been protecting you
is no longer here

How will you live?

How will you live?

Father has always said
that I must listen to you

I will listen to you from now on

Yes, when I'm with you,
you listen to me well

But if I'm not here,
how will you live?

Will you starve to death?

Will you die of illness?

No! I'll eat medicinal roots
and I'll eat wild berries

Yes, Jang-Geum...

You must live anyhow

That is the reason why your father
was happy though he was dragged away

Long time ago, your father
was a military officer

and I was a court lady
in the Kitchen of the Royal Palace

What? You were?

Yes, I was a court lady

Your father and I were
falsely charged and had to flee

and live as baekjeongs

You've been our only
happiness in our grief

You will save many people
A noble master told that to your dad

If he's right, then you'll be
a great person who'll save many people

So, Jang-Geum, don't be sad

Don't cry and don't give up easily

Your father will be with you
whatever path you go

and I'll be with you wherever you are
Do you understand?

Yes

Mother... Mother...

My letter is in here. Read it later

Read it, and if you don't want
to do it, throw it away anytime

since you must do what you want to do

Mother, try not to talk and eat this
You're probably exhausted

because you haven't eaten anything

It's delicious

You can't chew them?
Then I will chew them for you

You did that when I was sick

Mother, please eat
so you can gain strength

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

But it is your choice to make
If you don't want to be a court lady

or you don't become
the Highest Kitchen Lady

you must not read it,
or show or tell others about this

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'll get going now...