Actually, I resented my instructor...
I thought she didn't evaluate my talent...
which she always complimented me for After all, I did my best
But that wasn't it My effort was to beat someone else
And even here, I was only trying to find out people's secret methods
But there were no secret methods The only secret...
was the sweat and devotion put into making it
The rice I'd prepared thinking that I should use...
whatever technique available to fulfill her wish...
before she dies, but I couldn't move her heart
but the honest man's rice moved her heart
That's why she said my talents were poison to me
Because she was afraid I would be dependent on that only
I envy you for having such a great instructor
She was probably afraid that you might live that way
with the excuse that you have to accomplish your goals
But I trust you. Though you may have made a mistake
you wouldn't give up the hope of putting a smile...
on the face of the person who eats the dish you prepare
Jang-Geum! You left this, didn't you?
I forgot it again, didn't I?
You left it at the fireplace
Do you still use that big brush?
Yes
Anyway, sir, how can you be just standing here?
Why? Is something wrong?
It's time for drinks since 8 pm is approaching
Why do you think 8 pm exists? It's so that we can have drinks
You knew, right?
Why don't you drink by yourself?
Oh, no, this is a temple... and if I get caught...
bad things ought to be done together. Let's go
I had a crush on a guy who lives here since I lived at home
You're crazy
He passed the Sama Exam at the age of 16
So?
Elders of my family forced me to be a lady of the court
You know this too... that a court lady is the King's lady
So I realized today that I shouldn't keep him in my heart
He's a yangban and I'm from a middle class
He's a servant of the King, and I'm the King's woman
It's for a small notebook Don't you have any smaller brushes?
How about this?
Are you still using that big brush?
Yes
You dry clematis, ainsliaea, solidago, and cacalia in the yard
and on rooftops to dry them thoroughly, huh?
I think so...
And mushrooms are dried under trees
where there's more wind, right?
That's how I've always done it
OK
Use this
It's one of my brushes I have many so you can use it
That big brush looks uncomfortable for you
OK. Thank you
Sir, I've seen a herb which you let dew fall on...
Oh, that... what do you call it...
Oh, it's from Hweng-Sung, Gangwon-Do
The King's Mother has given the second assignment
The doctors ordered not to serve meat in the King's dishes
because he had some skin problems But the King's Mother is worried
that he might get ill So she's asking you to find raw fish
that he can enjoy throughout the year
But if it's not pickled fish, we can only bring life fish in winter
That's why it's an assignment The doctors must've told her
that raw fish is good for the skin
Preserving the health of the King...
keeps the royal family and nation strong
Do your best in finding a way You have about a week
Yes, ma'am
Didn't I tell you to go to the snack room since I have a cold?!
Oh!
Why didn't you send me? I like it there. Much to eat too
I'm sorry, Madam. I was filling in...
for two other girls who caught a cold...
I caught it from them!
Anyway, I'll go there quickly
Forget it! I already got scolded It's all over now
Madam...
Forget it!
Madam...
I said, forget it!
She's here, Madam!
Who? Keum-Young?
Yes!
Good. She's in time for the competition
Madam, is there a new assignment?
Yes
Should I go and tell Jang-Geum to come back?
Are you feeling any better?
No... the fever doesn't seem to go down
Then go in and rest
Yes, ma'am
Are you here, Keum-Young?
Yes
Where did you go? You didn't go to my brother's home
I just wanted to get some fresh air
You don't need to change She has given us the second assignment
What is it?
She's wise indeed We have the advantage over them
She has asked us to prepare raw fish
But bringing live fish now is...
Where's the place from which you can bring live fish...
to the palace in the shortest time?
Do you mean Uncle?
That's right Ice can only be obtained...
from him besides the palace
The King's Mother intends to end this quickly
Then will this competition bring...
the end of Lady Han and Jang-Geum?
That's right, of course
Madam, I'm worried that you might overexert yourself
because I keep going out of the palace these days
Just worry about yourself
So is there a way?
Not yet
lfJang-Geum were with you, she'd be able to help you
Why don't you send Yeun-Seng...
Madam, I'll be back I think it may take some time
Madam! Madam!
Doctor! Doctor!
Madam...
Would you please come for a moment?
What is it?
You were talking about secret methods...
Yes... but I was wrong I won't ever make such a mistake again
I use this everyday so I didn't think much of it but use this
when you make soy bean stew It's made up of...
dried anchovies, mushrooms and some herbs...
It just makes food taste better When the food isn't for the temple
you can sometimes use dried meat instead of anchovies
Is this called a secret method too?
Of course!
Then go ahead and use it
Poor King! How could he not know this
and eat something that doesn't taste as good?
Will you miss this place?
Yes
Me too
Me, three. If I go home, I'll be fried like anchovies
beaten like dried pollack or dried up like herbs
or hit around like rice plants...
Jang-Geum, let's just stay here
Duk-Gu...
You said you'll miss this place... You'll miss this place, won't you?
But I'm curious how the competition is going along
Did you get the ice?
Yes, sir
Go fill up the jars with sea water and bring many live fish
Yes, sir
If this is successful, we can continue to sell it to the palace
or to the officials at an expensive price
Yes, we'll definitely succeed in this
What's going on?! The court ladies stay here!
I know. I'll receive permission first
so please lead me to the head lady here
Follow me
Wait. You stay here so he can't escape from here!
Yes, sir!
What is it?
We've been investigating a placard of unknown origin
and we discovered a suspicious person today
And?
While tracking that person one of our soldiers said...
he saw him coming here So please let us check the place
Sure. Please follow me
Listen up! Wear your dresses and come out!
How come those two rooms aren't lit up?
They're court ladies' rooms and they've gone outside
with the orders of the King's Mother
Search those two rooms first!
Yes, sir!
Search carefully!
Yes sir!
Search carefully!
Yes sir!
Wait!
You wretch!
I have done nothing wrong, sir!
Drag him out!
Yes sir!
Sir! Sir!
Thank you for your help
Oh, it's nothing...
Madam, what happened?
I heard there was a placard problem...
A placard problem?
I don't know Clean this place up first
Lady Choi will be shocked to see this
Yes, ma'am
Look at this... it's so pretty
I have one too! They're so pretty!
Let me try this...
Isn't this so pretty?
How much do you think this might be? It's probably very expensive
It's as good as the one the Queen has herself!
When can we ever try on such things?
What wicked wretches! The book that should've been passed down
to the Highest Court Lady was given to Lady Choi
Lady Choi, you really insulted me this time
Please send them once you receive them
Sure, don't worry and just prepare to be the Highest Court Lady
Did you get the customers who'll buy the ginseng?
Yes. The transactions will be made tomorrow night. But...
What?
Some people were asking around about the amount...
of ginseng harvested from the field
Really? Who were they?
They seemed to be regular merchants
Then weren't they only asking if it pays well?
Yes, it seemed so...
What? Is something fishy?
No...
We caught the person who put up the placard
Is that true?
It was that person in the Prince's palace
just as you had said
Since it's not good to be known, we are investigating secretly
I see
And what's happening there?
The yield has never decreased for several years now
Really?
And we also found out that the ginseng is going to merchant Choi Pan-Sul
Choi Pan-Sul... OK I'll report this officially
Yes, sir
Yeun-Seng... Chang-Yee
How did you come back? Did the nursemaid recover?
No... she passed away The physician is probably talking...
to Her Majesty the Queen
Really? The Queen must be very sad now
Yeah
But how come the kitchen is so quiet? Where is everyone?
Lady Choi and Lady Han left the palace
for the second round of the competition
Plus Lady Min and several new brides caught a cold
so we're doing all the work Since you're here now
I think we can relax a little
What's the assignment this time?
Why aren't you working?!
Madam, I'm back
OK
She must still be upset
Anyway, I wonder if she found raw fish...
we can eat throughout the year
Raw fish you can eat throughout the year? Is that the assignment?
Yes... but she doesn't seem to have it, does she?
The rumor is that the King's Mother chose it so Lady Choi can win
since merchant Choi can get it
Madam! Did you find it?
Be quiet. Keep working
So you're back
Yes, ma'am
We've spent so much time together
But there probably aren't many people
who are as unfriendly as we are
Yes... I wasn't very sociable so I only talked with Myeong
Do you still blame me for it?
Just as Lady Jung said, I'm going to accept...
the results of this competition
Did you find it?
Not yet
Lady Han must not want to forgive me...
I found out what I did wrong What if she keeps that up?
But you still have so much
The one that I wanted so much
The one that I consider so precious in my heart
You have the one
What is it?
I'd like to start reading that book here everyday from now
Yes... You can't take it away from here. So read it here
Sure. I'll start training harder
and be faithful to the family affairs
You must've straightened out your thoughts while taking the break
Yes. I realized that the food and my family are most important
Hong! Hong!
I was just about to go home now What is it?
Did you clean my room?
I cleaned the room while you were gone
Did you clean the closet too?
No... you told me never to clean there
Then what's going on? Who came into my room?!
Young-Ro! Young-Ro!
Yes, Madam!
Did something happen while I was gone?
Did the inspection lady check the rooms?
No, a strange man hid in your room
so the head of the Royal Guards searched the rooms himself
What? The head of Royal Guards?
Then did he touch my books too?
No. He only took away that man
Then why is my book missing?!
As he was hiding in the closet everything in the closet poured out
But we put everything back in
Yes, that's right. Lady Jung told us to put everything back
Lady Jung?
Yes, she was there with us We didn't touch anything!
Lady Min and the girls can't get rid of their colds
I told them to stay inside so the King wouldn't catch it
I know you're busy... but be sure to cooperate well
Yes, ma'am
How?!
They said that the Royal Guards had searched the place while I was gone
And Lady Jung hasn't said anything about it?
No... she's shady
Of course... knowing who she is...
She's going to blow it on the day of the competition
If the King's Mother finds out that I didn't follow...
the traditional rules when I put Lady Jung in that position
what is she going to think of me?
Though she's close to Sir Oh Kyum-Ho she has an upright character
Not only that, Lady Jung could suggest that the whole competition...
was unfair because I had that book all along
So what shall we do?
We must persuade her Even if it means that...
I lose this round, we must make a deal
Why would she even consider that?
But we must stop her anyway We only have 3 days left
Is this really good for colds?
Yes, I learned it at the temple. It's called matrimony fruit & mugwort soup
You boil the fruit of matrimony vine lightly
and add mugwort tea later with salt and honey
You were only thinking about food at the temple too?
Not really...
She's still upset?
I think so. I get scared whenever she gets upset
Yeun-Seng, would you go and ask her if she found it?
She wouldn't tell me that
Still...
What is it?
Madam, did you find the answer by any chance?
Why would you want to know that?
Just because...
Jang-Geum...
Did she find it?
She didn't tell me. Why don't you go?
Where?
She brought something though she won't talk
I think she's doing something with it
Really?
What's this? It's all rotten
Did she give up?
I ought to try to find it
You're going out without permission?
I guess I can't, huh?
No. If you go, I'll scold you before the court ladies do
Then I'll go to the Food Services Duk-Gu's probably there
Do you think he would know?
He knew the taste of whale meat He may know about this too
Go and get it
But... I mean... how...
You said you're close to him now Go and get it... if you can't...
then don't bother coming home this time. Understand?
How could I do that? No way...
You should be able to do it Go, quickly
There will be no more meals if you can't get it
Don't shove me I'm weak as I am...
Hurry up!
Ma'am!
Jang-Geum, how are you?
Good. Would you know anything about a fish...
you can eat raw all year long?
What? What are you talking about? They rot during the summer...
How can you eat anything raw throughout the year?
Unless you live by the sea or something...
Why do you always ask such questions?
I've never seen you asking a sensible question
Would Duk-Gu know?
If I don't know, how would he know?
He's traveled all over the nation...
Then you go and ask him
Where is he?
Yes, such a thing happened
It's me
Hello
What does Lt. General like?
I'm not sure. He likes to training with us and reading books
But he's a different class from us
so he probably likes to climb the social ladder
What? The social ladder?
He likes that kind of thing?
Where would I buy that?
What's this?
Please keep it and use it
Don't let the sun go down on it! The world will be in chaos!
It's a good luck charm you should keep safely
What kind of a good luck charm is this?
An old Chinese king used it...
It's so effective that if you keep it
you'll become the captain of the Royal Guards
Take it back!
I drew it without spending a penny...
Sir, I deserve to die I thought my duty...
was to help you become a successful person
I'm glad you didn't waste any money
I don't know your intentions, but I appreciate your thought
Take it back!
OK, I won't ever draw such a thing again
With this shape and...
you add this... you get the perfect shape
This is that famous type of ginseng that makes you immortal
Yes, this plain root really looks like ginseng
I'm not sure why you're doing this, but you should stop this
Take it back!
Sir, I deserve to die. I won't ever call a plain root ginseng again
He's a genius... how did he know?
Haven't you left yet?!
Sir... I've been always regretful...
that I haven't done anything for you
But would you know who Hyang-Sun is by any chance?
Hyang-Sun? Who is she?
What the... You don't know her?
There is a dancer bar called Gae-UI and in the last room...
on the right, I'll have her wait for you there so you can...
Hey! Why do you keep insulting me?!
I've been very patient with you so far!
Would you stop this if you went to the police?!
Sir, insult? I deserve to die Actually, my wife told me...
to get a deal with you to provide drinks for the guards
so I just... I deserve to die, sir
Sir, I was headed that way
My wife told me to get a deal to provide the drinks
that's why I told her I'm close to you
so, sir, I won't ever do it again so please...
Duk-Gu!
Jang-Geum!
I'm in big trouble
My wife will kick me out of the house
if I don't get the deal to provide drinks for the guards here
So what should I do?
But even so how could you come all the way in here?
This is a training place for the soldiers
I see
You can provide the drinks for my home instead
I take some soldiers home and drink with them personally
Is that true, sir?
Yes
He is very generous
Sir! You have to tell me where your house is! Sir...
Madam, you found the answer, didn't you?
Try it
Huh?
Why do you always make me say it twice?
Yes, ma'am
Keep chewing it
Madam, the taste is starting to come out
Compared to other fish it's more meaty
and at first it's a strong taste and the ending taste is refreshing
This is raw skate
Huh?
Only people living on the shore ofJeolla-Do eat this
but I happened to meet some Jeolla-Do people
and I think it's perfect as a raw dish throughout the year
Is it good for the body too?
The doctor told me skate is good for problems with...
phlegm, digestion, blood circulation and it's good for intestines too
so I think it'll be perfect for the King
Then... this time... for sure...
We should win... we will win
Madam, you're forgiving me, right?
Madam? Please?
Please forgive me, Madam. Huh?
Why wouldn't I know your character?
But normally a person doesn't realize it when she is changing
If you're put in an urgent situation
it's hard to think about right or wrong
You normally try to solve the problem at hand first
And in time you'll be used to living that way and...
if you live that way you won't see the path you intended to take
but only the problem at hand
Yes, Madam, I will never forget that
OK, that's good enough
Madam, you're so similar to my mother who died
Madam, your health is getting worse...
I think it's because of the weather turning cold
Yes... More new brides are catching colds
Lady Jung, are you inside?
Yes...
You don't need to stand up
Yeun-Seng, stay outside
We'll just get to the point
I'm sorry
We were wrong
Please let it go...
since the book has returned to its proper owner, please let it go
I will lose this round of the competition
I won't put out the raw fish Please...
If you're done talking please go back
My health is very bad
We have only two days We must find a way
Yes, Madam
I think it tastes better than yesterday
I heard waiting 6 days is the best
and tomorrow is the sixth day
Yes
We can win this time
But wouldn't Lady Choi have other means too?
Don't worry. I found out about her through chef Gang
Madam... you told me not to be obsessed with the desire to win
and you even found that out?
No, chef Gang just told me... You!
Since it's my shift tonight and we must go directly...
to the competition tomorrow morning, bring it now
Yes, ma'am
Not one fish is alive?!
No... I think it was shaken on the way... they even have scars...
Oh, how could this happen?
It's big trouble... not a fish is alive in the jar!
There's a bigger problem now
A bigger problem?
Lady Jung found out about the secret book...
that's only passed down to the Highest Lady
What?! And?!
Head Lady and Lady Choi are carefully discussing it
but we think Lady Jung will tell the King's Mother tomorrow
Then we must stop it We must stop her!
This is killing me There seems to be no way out of this
I'm sorry. I should've hidden it somewhere better
Then there's no other way but to prevent her...
from showing up tomorrow
How? How are we going to do that?
Since she's a sick person, we can use drugs through a nurse
Head Lady! Are you here?
Isn't it the head of the eunuchs?
What is it?
It's big trouble! Follow me right now!
What is it?
I'll tell you later. Lady Choi, I was going to call Lady Jung
but since she's weak she won't be able to come quickly
So you can go with us and tell her about it later
What is it?
Let's go first. Hurry
According to the doctors, an infectious disease...
is spreading in the palace
An infectious disease?
Are you saying there's an unidentified epidemic?
The symptoms aren't very visible and it is caught like a common cold
That's why we didn't know about it
According to the doctors, it isn't a type of cold
but some unidentified epidemic
So what the two new brides have caught recently isn't a cold
Then is it spreading in the kitchen too?
Yes, there are a few girls who have caught a cold
If this has spread in the kitchen where the King's food is prepared
isn't this a huge problem?
Doctors are going around all over the palace to find the remedy
but it's hard to tell when they'll come up with it
Yes, just as we have always done
make all the sick people leave the palace first
That's why I called you Find everyone who is suffering
and take them outside the palace by tonight
Yes, sir
I'm going to report this to the King
I'll check the eunuchs and guards... so Head Lady...
you should check the court ladies thoroughly
Yes, sir
Take care of this quickly and quietly so there won't be any chaos
There's no need to talk more Just go into every corner...
of your residences and find out who has caught this
and hand over the list
The guards will take them out of the palace
Yes, ma'am
Even if they're sleeping you shouldn't miss a single person
Madam...
The Heavens are helping us
Yes
I'll take care of the kitchens so please send the guards to me first
OK
Madam, I'm an inspector
Madam, you've been infected You must go out of the palace
and recuperate first
Infected?! Only my knees hurt!
No, Madam... an infectious disease is spreading in the palace
so we're taking everyone outside Please follow us
This is an order by His Majesty
OK
Madam, it's strange...
It's time for everyone to gather up
Could it be that we weren't notified of something at the middle kitchen?
I'm not sure... but we should've been notified if anything changed
I just heard of it. How come no one knew about it 'til now?!
I'm sorry, Madam... Unlike the previous diseases, the symptoms...
weren't very noticeable so even the doctors didn't think much of it
I heard that, but it could've been much worse!
I heard even the kitchen ladies who prepared the King's meals were sick!
Yes, Madam. Unfortunately, some showed symptoms in the kitchen
and even Lady Jung, the Highest Lady...
What?! Lady Jung?!
So she was sent out of the palace last night as well
So the competition today...
How could that be important now?
You could get infectious diseases... most easily through food
so what are we going to do now?!
I've told Lady Choi to be thorough with the remedies...
at the kitchen so... don't be too worried
What is it? And where is Lady Jung... and Lady Min?
Lady Jung was sent out of the palace last night
because of an unidentified disease
What?! An unidentified disease?
Yes, the cold symptoms are said to be that
Tell me everything. What happened?!
I think the order was given out while it was your shift
at the middle kitchen last night
Yes, the doctors found out about it last night as well
So all the guards and inspecting ladies came to the residences
and took everyone who showed the symptoms outside the palace
What are we going to do now? What if Lady Jung is very sick?
I didn't even say bye...
Madam... Head Lady is calling for you and Jang-Geum...
to her residence now
OK
Don't cry
What happened to Lady Jung?
She hasn't been doing well and she must've gotten the disease too
So today's competition has been cancelled
And the King's Mother is greatly concerned about the fact...
that the Highest Court Lady of the kitchen had this disease
Infectious diseases are usually transmitted through food
so how could she not be concerned
when several kitchen ladies had this disease?
So go to the kitchen and check all the court ladies...
food, and dishes so that nothing bad happens
Yes, ma'am
Lady Choi, you can stay here
since we need to check other rooms together
Yes, ma'am
What's done is done already
Yes, ma'am
I'll talk of changing the Highest Lady at the next meeting
with Oh Kyum-Ho, eunuchs and the court ladies
But the head of the eunuchs won't be so easily convinced
That's why I'm doing this I'll meet him so you go around...
to all the lower head ladies and tell them about what I said
Sure
If he's outnumbered, he won't be able to do much either
What will happen now that Lady Jung isn't here?
Then is the competition all over?
It's not the time to think about such things
We must be concerned with the safety of the King first
You're still talking like this?! You should be working!
Madam, something's strange
What is it?
Lady Jung did have a chronic disease but she had no symptoms of a cold
She didn't have any fever, and she didn't vomit like Lady Min
Then?
Only her legs hurt and...
she was taking some medicine for her kidneys
Then she must've caught it that night
But she was fine 'til the evening She'll be OK, right?
She'll be coming back, right?
Yes, so don't worry
Right, Madam? Right?