Jung Yi, the Goddess of Fire
[Episode 04] His Royal Majesty!
I thought I'd look things over before we begin.
Wait. What are you doing with that?
You...
Your Highness, this jar is above petty concerns.
It is not to be traded for power.
How dare you? What is this?
The deal you made with Yu Euldam...
...is about to come out.
Sire, in all the confusion, the sacred jar...
...was broken.
Broken?
So we'll be fine?
Yes, we'll be fine.
So long as one man leaves it alone. Yi Kangchon.
Punwon Kiln Artisan Yi Yukdo.
By my honor and my life...
...this jar has been broken.
Where exactly?
Do you see anything?
Do any of you?
Does it look broken?
Sire, it was repaired to look that way.
With your permission, I can prove it.
Fine.
But if you fail...
...you will pay for your contempt...
...and your disdain for this court...
...with your life, understood?
Yes, Sire.
If I lie, may my life be forfeit.
Prove it.
Prepare hot water.
The heat will melt the glair used as an adhesive.
The water will leak out.
Can that be...?
How long do we wait?
Only a moment.
Father, I meant to use glair.
But the Master ate all the egg whites.
So?
I made resin from earthworms.
Blech.
But it was amazing.
Maybe it's cause they eat soil, but there wasn't a crack anywhere.
There should be a crack.
Father, what's happening?
Euldam didn't use glair?
How long do we have to wait?
The water's gone cold and not a crack.
Sire.
Youth is no excuse.
You dare hold this court in contempt.
Now you will pay.
Guards. Take him away.
Sire.
Kangchon, look the other way.
Let this innocent girl...
...lead a quiet life.
Sire.
I will act in my son's stead.
With your permission.
Lord Yi, you would die too?
Fine.
Give it a try.
This is the way to prove it was broken.
Kangchon!
Sire, please.
Examine these.
Fresh breaks have a distinctive look.
Compare them.
You can see glint of glue.
Yes, it was broken and repaired.
Within the last four days.
Who? Who did this?
It was...
...me.
What are you saying?
It was me.
Who?
Me.
I'm asking who repaired this.
Who helped you without knowing any better? Name the traitor!
Say it!
I broke it by accident. And fixed it.
No one else was involved.
Punish me and me alone.
You have hidden talents.
A diamond in the rough.
Fix it.
Sire?
You said you acted alone.
Now fix it.
If it were them, Lord Yi and his son wouldn't have spoken up.
In which case...
I wish I'd never met him.
Arrest Yu Euldam.
Sire.
No, it was me, Sire.
Please don't.
Silence!
I win.
Euldam, get ready.
Traitor Yu Euldam.
- Take him. - Sir.
What...?
Father, Father!
Father!
What are you doing?
Let go.
No, he didn't do anything, let him go.
Go home, go!
It was me. I did it.
He didn't do anything.
Tramp. Move!
Jung.
Jung, Jung. You all right? Jung...
Jung, Jung.
You all right?
Dad!
Taedo, you all right?
Jung!
Jung, Jung!
Jung, Jung... Jung.
Worse and worse.
Pardon?
What has the King always done when Kwanghae broke something?
He covered it up and had it fixed.
You know what that means?
He'll find a scapegoat.
Gather the court.
This time Kwanghae must pay the price. Understood?
Sire, I threatened his life.
He had to obey, he had no choice.
Spare him.
Frustrating little...!
The whole court was there. It can't be kept quiet.
Can't you see that makes it worse?
So you're teaching me to punish the innocent?
I'm doing this to save your life.
Now go. You're confined to your room.
Your Majesty.
I'll interrogate Yu Euldam myself.
Now go to your room.
I'm told you confessed everything, is that so?
Yes, Sire.
I broke the jar and repaired it.
Kill me, Sire.
What are you afraid of to want die in such a hurry?
What are you afraid of?
What are you hiding?
Sire, the entire court saw it.
Covering it up will place the royal house in danger.
Let your sentence be swift and just.
We have the traitor. What cover up?
Unless you mean... Kwanghae?
The jar belonged to Taejo, the founder of our dynasty.
Such a crime cannot be taken lightly.
The heavens cry out for justice.
Hear us.
For the crime of defrauding the royal house...
...Yu Euldam will be put to death.
For conspiracy and in accordance with the law...
...Prince Kwanghae is banished.
For the period of one year.
Your Majesty, did you hear? The King...
My son's future is assured.
We're so pleased we needed to get some air.
Congratulations, the King...
A nice long walk.
Don't spoil it with talk of death and exile.
Do you know why the powerful Minister Yi bows to me?
Surely because you're Your Majesty?
No.
Because of you.
Me?
Yes. You will be heir apparent.
He can't help but bow to me.
What if I'm not named Crown Prince?
You needn't worry, not with me here.
I'm worried I might disappoint you.
Never. Don't worry about a thing.
Grow up strong and true.
Leave the rest to your mother.
My father is innocent.
I did it.
Let my father go. Take me!
My father is innocent.
- I did it! - Jung!
Let my father go. Take me!
What's that racket? Get rid of her.
Your Highness, wait.
Let me fix that for you.
I broke it. I should fix it.
I'm my father's daughter, after all.
I shouldn't have went to you.
His Majesty wants you.
Tell us your name again.
Yu Euldam's daughter, Jung.
Why did you sound the people's drum?
Because my father has been wrongfully imprisoned.
You know what he stands convicted of?
The jar.
But he didn't do it. I did.
His Highness brought it, I broke it, I repaired it.
My father wasn't involved.
Jung.
You tell me. Is this true?
Your Highness, tell them.
You had it, I broke it, I repaired it, it's all true.
Please tell them.
Punish me.
But protect...
...my little girl.
Lord Yi.
Yes, Sire.
This girl claims she repaired Taejo's jar.
You're the Master Artisan. Is this possible?
Impossible.
It was fine work.
Far beyond the abilities of an ignorant child.
No. It was me.
My father would have used glair.
But I knew it hot water would melt it.
So I didn't use egg whites.
Did she repair it so perfectly?
Did she do it?
I don't believe it.
Did your father put you up to this?
Sire, whether he's my father or not, he's innocent.
Believe me.
If I could, if there were a way...
...I would show you I'm not lying.
Show me?
All right. You'll have your chance to prove it.
Make a jar.
Sire.
Pardon me...
...but I don't know how.
You don't know how?
You just said you fixed Taejo's jar.
Sire, as a child I broke so many bowls...
...I got used to fixing them.
But to make one...
You dare hold me in disdain?
I'll do it. I'll try.
Any particular type of jar?
The loveliest in all the land.
Sire?
As befits the dignity of the throne.
A work that leaves nothing to be desired. Understood?
And if I fail, what will happen?
You father and will die.
As will you.
Jung.
You disappoint me. Why didn't you say anything?
I'm sorry.
How can I make it up to you? Tell me.
I want to see my dad.
What kind of prince are you?
Am I to blame?
How can I? You did your duty.
You have earned the King's trust.
How nice for you. Leave me.
You think I did this to look good to the King?
Is that it?
Didn't you?
Why Yu Euldam?
I would have done anything for you.
So why him?
You trust that old man more than a royal artisan?
Or did you make a deal to give him the Master Artisan's chair?
You think it was Euldam?
No...
That slip of a girl repaired Taejo's jar?
It's a lie.
She's lying to save her father.
Suppose it's true?
His Highness strongly implied it was the girl, not the father.
Idiot.
Suppose it's true.
You want to study under Euldam's brat, too?
You nearly died.
Enough of this foolishness.
Any more trouble and you'll lose your rank as an artisan.
Jung, take a break.
I can do this, I can.
I have to.
What is the loveliest?
Flowers? Butterflies?
Ladies? What is it?
Still here?
I've come to help you back.
Stop!
Imhae, get them out of here.
His Majesty gave you a week to leave.
Or hadn't you heard?
That's my affair. Please go.
I hear she's quite a girl.
She can't make a thing, but a repair job is nothing.
Imhae.
The problem is the people.
They don't know how scary Father is.
They think he'll be merciful because she's such a good daughter.
She's in serious hot water now.
You caused all this. How can you say that?
What?
Should I go to Father?
'Oh, by the way, it was all a lie, it was me.'
She will create something that will move his heart.
Wait and see.
Listen to you!
And if she does,
you think you'll be excused?
It will never happen.
Pack your things and go.
Hwalyong.
Taedo.
Aren't you eating?
Go on.
Hwalyong, do you want Jung to fail?
If you wish her well, so do I.
Then won't you help?
There's nothing I can do.
Jung.
Ming porcelain.
Unmatched for beauty and elegance.
Remarkable. Where did you get it?
Oh, I borrowed it. To help you.
Halt.
This is soil and glaze for the Punwon Kiln.
What are you doing with it?
Foreman Shim Jongsu with the Punwon Kiln.
This is, well, it's not...
You think you can help yourself?
Take what you want?
Well? Where are you taking it?
Have mercy!
It's for Euldam's poor little girl.
Left alone in the world, her father in prison...
Please look the other way!
I swear this is the first time. I'll take it all back, I swear...
Foreman Shim, you said?
Yes, Your Highness.
You're a busy man.
I'll take care of this. Be on your way.
Huh?
Put the clay there. Don't spill the glaze.
Sir.
There's no need.
Jung says she's given up.
What?
Jung, the Prince.
Jung.
Jung, please, stop that.
How long?
Since she saw that vase.
She wanted to make something similar.
Then... she gave up.
She won't eat, won't sleep.
She just stares at it.
How can I help?
Let me see her father.
Stand aside.
Your Highness.
I need to go in.
Stop!
My personal guard.
Would you leave me defenseless?
I broke faith with Euldam.
I can't face him. You go on.
Jung said that?
Yes, sir.
Your lives depend on whatever she makes.
Is there any way to go back to how it was?
Taedo, there is a book under my toolbox. Get it to her.
If anything happens to me, look after her.
Sir.
That wasn't just talk.
Will you serve as my guard?
Swear you'll protect Jung. Man-to-man.
Is that a yes?
Promise your protection...
...and I will pledge my life to your service.
Is everyone like this?
Daughters and fathers, fathers and daughters, brothers and sisters...
all risking their lives for each other?
We all protect what we hold dear.
Power for those that love power.
Wealth and fame for those that love them.
You hold Jung dear?
If you can't protect her...
...you'll take your revenge?
Doesn't make you much of a guard, does it?
- Master. - Hello.
The loveliest in all the land, huh?
Yes.
Let's see.
What do you consider lovely?
I don't know. I have no idea.
If you ask me, it's wine.
Sir?
Wine makes all the world's ugliness go away.
Wine lifts the spirits and makes life endurable.
Now suppose where were no wine?
Ugh, perish the thought.
Now, what do you find beautiful?
Think of what in the world you fear losing the most.
What you cherish above all things...
Start with that.
Jung, the kiln collapsed after you were born.
Your mother saved us both.
She wanted you to be the finest artisan in all the land.
Teaching you...
...easy now...
Darn!
I was most proud when you didn't mimic me.
Jung, always believe in yourself.
Look inside...
...and create.
So this is it.
A tea bowl.
Lord Yi.
Sire.
What do you think?
It lacks a uniform shape and glaze.
Rough and crude in the extreme.
Hm. It is indeed crude.
The salt glaze is a bit much.
Salt?
Tears...
Am I unfair?
N-Not at all, Sire.
Would you call this the loveliest bowl in all the land?
What does Your Majesty value above all things?
The dignity of the throne?
If so, such a task was beyond a girl like me.
I could not infuse it with such dignity.
What did you value then?
For me, the loveliest thing in the world...
...is my parent's love.
And you put that love in this bowl.
Yes, Sire.
Where is this love exactly?
Turn it upside down.
The shape and form echoes a mother's bosom.
Where a child suckles and hears her heart.
Suckles and hears her heart.
You felt such love?
No. She died giving me life.
And where is a father's love?
A father's love is in the bowl itself.
All of it?
How? Through flaws due to lack of talent?
Those flaws are tears...
...for a father imprisoned on my behalf.
So my court has made a fool of me.
I'm saved by your sentimental tripe, is that it?
Is that what you think?
In that case...
...you are unworthy of the throne.
Kill the mouthy little tramp.
Please, Sire.
Kill her, Sire.
Would you have me abdicate my throne?
The King is the father to his people.
They trust you to wipe a mother's tears, to reward a father's work.
If you cannot see the beauty of your own people...
I was wrong. Very wrong, Sire.
Sire, she is manipulative and fickle.
The idea that she repaired Taejo's jar is absurd.
Deal with her.
How exactly?
For fraud and covering up her father's crime...
For daring to question your right to the throne...
Such crimes deserve death.
Her father has confessed. Carry out his sentence.
On him and his daughter, to guard the dignity of the royal house.
Oh? And what about me?
I broke King Taejo's jar, I tried to have it mended in secret.
Surely I deserve death.
Your pardon.
His Majesty has already sentenced you to exile.
Sire.
She lost her mother just as I did.
She made a bowl out of tears shed for her father.
I trust in your good justice.
It ends here.
This bowl of yours is too crude for words.
Rough, coarse, and beneath the dignity of the throne.
However.
This country is built on filial devotion.
Loyalty to one's father is loyalty to the nation.
Your willingness to risk everything has touched my heart.
As promised, your father will be pardoned.
And this may not be fit for the throne.
But for me, no other bowl fills my heart with such content.
So...
You are pardoned as well.
Thank you, thank you, Sire.
Sire. You can't.
No, Sire!
And you!
Look to your own selves...
...before you blame others!
Kwanghae, your exile is rescinded.
See that you behave.
At your service, Sire.
Sire.
You did it.
Well done. Truly.
I have you to thank.
Truly, Your Highness.
You've been through a lot.
You were probably mad at me.
No. You were nearly banished.
All because of me.
If I hadn't broken the jar...
I'm sorry.
Jung, didn't you hear?
Hear? What?
I told Euldam everything.
Told him what?
The jar...
...was already broken.
I didn't mean to trick you.
I'm sorry.
So my father and I nearly died...
...for a jar we didn't even break?
Is that it?
I'm so sorry. I'll make it up to you...
Unhand me.
We both could have died, my father and me.
You were scared and came running to my dad for help.
Then left him in prison and possible execution?
You are such a...such a...
Father.
Jung.
Father, your face.
I'm so sorry, Father. It's my fault.
I failed to protect you.
Father, I'm sorry, I was bad.
I'll do what you say from now on.
Never leave me again.
I was so scared.
There, there, I won't leave you.
Don't cry, Jung.
I should have gone to the kiln.
But as things are, I sent for you.
You have had much to endure.
To think it was due to one of my artisans...
Which is why we need finer artisans.
I'm bringing in Yu Euldam.
Your Highness, you can't, Euldam is...
My mind is made up.
I'm petitioning to the King.
Your Highness.
How could you let this happen?
You should have told me the minute you knew it was broken.
If we had shown the King the broken bits...
...Prince Kwanghae would be gone.
Now look, we've got Yu Euldam to deal with.
You disappoint me.
Yu Euldam trounced you.
Never mind him. His little girl.
Coming.
I'm glad you're alive.
Tonight is on me.
Eat, eat, go on.
I hear Prince Kwanghae helped you?
So he did.
He made prison bearable.
Listen, talk up my boy here.
Wait.
You always say you'll have nothing to do with the nobles.
This is different. He's a prince.
It's not often we get next to a royal, eh?
So he's a prince? He's powerless and a liar.
Give me Taedo any day.
Don't go if he sends for you.
No?
No.
Well? Your father's cup is empty.
- Allow me. - Atta girl.
And a snack.
Uh-oh! Oops!
- Again. - Again, again.
You're so cute!
Cutie...
His Highness is giving Yu Euldam his step up.
Listen, Yu may be Master Artisan, yes or no?
You think Lord Yi is past his prime?
Way past, I'd say.
Better a nice guy like Yu than that stick in the mud Yi.
He's got my vote.
Easy with that.
What is... Hwalyong.
I'm sorry I haven't been here till now.
This lady runs the trading house where I work.
May I ask what brings you here? And what this is?
I've heard a lot about you.
You're Hwalyong's instructor?
This is a token of my appreciation for teaching her so well.
There is no need. But perhaps I might ask a favor?
If I can square her father's debt with you...
...could you release his daughter?
Hwalyong.
Hello.
It's been forever.
Are you coming back?
What, just the two of us? Without your father?
Why not?
He's to be an artisan at the Punwon Kiln.
What?
I'm bringing in Yu Euldam.
If I could have, I would have studied under him.
Artisan Yu will craft the royal tea services.
There is no dream more precious to me...
...than Lord Yu.
Yu Euldam trounced you.
Those are tears for a father imprisoned on my behalf.
Never mind him. His little girl.
Mapong.
This has to end.
Today.
Kill him.
Euldam must die...
...for me to live.
Don't want anyone to see...
I'll make it painless.
Father!
Do you know what crime your father had done?
I'll become the best artisan in the land.
Think it's that simple?
Will you apologize then?
You're just like your father.
A woman artisan?
I saw his face...
Enough to kill her?
Jung-yi dead? ...Can't be.
More snacks!
Do you know what this is?
Someone is smuggling things out of Punwon...
How can I meet Prince Kwanghae?
You can't meet him...
I will not go empty-handed!