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!

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