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?
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...