You wretches, you shall pay for this
Who killed her? Tell me everything
Three women are holding your fate
Although you killed the first woman you will not die
You ought to pay for your sin by death
You have saved her life
The second will die because of you even though you save her
Although I have saved you he said you will die because of me
I already owe you my life
Isn't he the blacksmith who makes knives in Dongjin Village?
He's not a baekjeong!
He's a military officer who protects the King!
And the third will kill you but she will save many lives
Mother! Mother!
Jang-Geum, become the Highest Kitchen Lady of the Royal Palace
and write down my grievances in the secret document that's passed down
I hid my grievances in your Chinese character book
It's your choice If you don't want to be a court lady
or don't become the Highest Kitchen Lady
you must not read it, or show others
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
(Episode 3)
Don't scream! Be quiet!
You're going to keep quiet, right?
I'm going to test you
So you are quiet
By the way, who are you?
Who are you?
You don't need to know. You...
Father, aren't you done yet?
You're a thief
What? Thief?
Aren't you stealing something?
Quiet. My wife is so mean, she won't give me my money
You're a victim, too?
Then you, too? Poor kid
You're hungry, aren't you? Eat this It's steamed rice for making wine
People aren't born thieves Mean people make them thieves
Father, hurry!
OK, I'm coming out
Take as much as you can
Here... Be careful
Who's this? Who are you? Who the heck are you?
Why this...
My liquor! My liquor!
Oh, my! That thief took all of it
I'm going to catch that thief! Hey!
Thanks for the food
Sure
You shouldn't be around here
Go get a bowl of soup from the kitchen and leave
Please give me a bowl of rice and soup
Rice and soup? Do you have any money?
Yes
Let me see
Where did this little kid get such money?
He sold the liquor he stole from me
No, I didn't steal it
I saw it clearly with my two eyes How dare you lie
No, it wasn't me!
Whatever... let's go Let go!
I caught the thief Why should I let go?
Oh, my...
I finally caught the thief Tell me how much you've stolen
It wasn't me
Then who else could it be?
It wasn't me... I saw a thief earlier...
And?
Mister...
What's wrong with him? What's wrong?
I'm feeling dizzy Must've lost energy
Ha! You eat everything that's good for health
Get up. Get up quickly. Get up
Mother, look at him
Why did he collapse suddenly?
Hey, hey, what's wrong with you?
Child, say "ah"
She'd kill me if she finds out
I'd be beaten and bleed to death
So when you regain strength I'll help you escape
Run far away. OK?
That's the only way for both of us to stay alive
You eat like a cute baby bird
Are you crazy? We don't even have enough porridge for Ildo
and you're feeding the thief?!
Even so, as a Royal Chef, how could I be indifferent to a dying...
Stop the nonsense!
You'll pop my ear This is the only good ear left...
If you cook food for the King go get your pay on time
And you... where is your mother? I'll take you to her, so let's go
Stop staring at me like that and tell me. Where is she?
She passed away
She passed away?
How about your father?
He, too...
What a pity...
Your father too?
I have no place to go, so please take care of me for now
Oh, no...
Don't even say such a thing Let's go now
Mother, Father...
Be quiet. What do you know?
It's 15 days' worth You can stay for that long
Thank you
15 days? It's more like 20 days
Ouch... my back... It aches so much...
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
Why, that... You're still sleeping?
Why, that lazy old man...!
Aren't you going to get water?! Why you...!
My back hurts I always have to tell you to go!
I'm so sick of this!
How come he's not awake yet? Hey!
Aren't you going to wake up?
He isn't here
Why...!
So you're a girl?
Yes
So you were with the lady who came to ask...
Yes
I know I'm going to die before my time because of this back...
My back... ouch...
My back's killing me...
I know I'm going to die before my time because of this back...
What's this?
What are you doing?
Stay still. Warm it up like this, it's good for your back
You're suffering from pain everyday
Please lie down
Thanks for taking care of me
Thanks for what? Even if you spent your whole life working here
you won't be able to pay for all of the stolen liquor
so don't even think about running away. Understand?
Yes
How refreshing! It feels so good!
You try writing now
Me? No...
Try writing
Where are you going?
2 years later 12th year of Yeonsan-Kun's Rule (1506)
This is for the head of the government officials
This is for the head of the Ministry of Arts
Yes, I know. I memorized it all
I have to hurry somewhere for the King's medicinal food
so let's meet here at around 6:00. OK?
OK
And what do you say at home?
You did it all by yourself
That's right. I'll see you later
Don't be late OK
What medicinal food? He's going somewhere to drink again
Minister Yu, Governor Jang and Minister Hong have joined us
Those who will kill the Shin brothers, Yim Sa-Hong
and others who have risen to power through him have been designated
How about the entry to the palace?
The Royal Guards have come to our side
The Royal Cavalry & Royal Protectorate are still unclear
Then there will be conflict...
It's not complete but we've thought of a plan
Go ahead and tell him
You know that Choi Pan-Sul who's providing us with funds
and warriors is the nephew of the Highest Lady of the Royal Kitchen
So what does that matter?
We've told her to put something in the Protectorate & Cavalry's food
They won't be in their normal shape
That's an excellent move Can she pull it off?
She's been there from the beginning There won't be any mistakes
Then there is only one thing left to do
How are you going to tell this to Prince Jinsung
the rightful successor as the son of King Sungjong?
Yim Sa-Hong has policemen surround him everyday
under the name of protecting him
How can we tell him?
You have any good ideas?
Yes
Yeah?
There is a way to avoid detection by Yim Sa-Hong
What? Are you out of your mind?
Sir, we've come to this conclusion after much contemplation
A 10 year-old girl?
Yes, that's right
That's the only way for us
She has gone there a few times to deliver drinks
and she'll be delivering tomorrow too
But how could we let such a weighty matter depend on a little child?
You shouldn't worry too much
It could be better that she knows nothing
But she could also tell everything because she doesn't know
Mak-Ke, who has been watching her, said she's very intelligent
And to make sure...
an assassin will follow her
If she happens to be captured by the police
or discovered by others
she can be...
Jang-Geum, listen to me carefully This is for the General's house
and this is for Prince Jinsung. OK?
Yes, I know. Don't be late today
OK, I'll be back soon
Jang-Geum! Jang-Geum!
Jang-Geum... are you bringing drinks to Prince Jinsung today?
Yes
I'm glad I met you I'll pay you for your services later
Please deliver these for me
Sir Park Won-Jong is personally sending these to him as birthday gifts
so you must deliver them to him personally. OK?
OK
And there are names for these wines Tell the Prince...
that he can enjoy the best taste by drinking them in this order. OK?
OK
You can memorize it by looking at the colors, right?
And there is another thing If someone asks you anything
just tell them you're delivering drinks to the Prince as usual. OK?
If you don't do it, what do you think I will do to you?
I'm going to send you to a place with two tigers!
So you must obey and don't make any mistakes. OK?
Here, go ahead
It's that girl
Don't make any mistakes
Yes, sir
Stop!
Where are you going?
I'm delivering drinks to the Prince
Drinks?
It's OK. It's the same delivery girl
Are you here by yourself today?
Yes
Go ahead
Is my mother doing well?
Yes...
Why do you look so sad?
Though she has told me to tell you she's doing well
actually she is not
The King has cancelled all the regular study meetings
and invites all types of entertainers for daily partying
and reckless debauchery...
I've heard about it too I heard that when Eunuch Kim Chuh-Sun
told him to stop it he shot an arrow at him
Yes
Your mother has told me to tell you that you must be very careful
Sire, Sir Park Won-Jong has sent drinks for your birthday
Sir Park Won-Jong?
Bring them in Yes
Is the person who brought these still here?
Yes, but it's a child
A child? Send her in
What are these drinks? Why ask for him?
I'm not sure
How dare you... in front of the Prince!
I want to become a court lady in the Royal Kitchen
Please take me with you
How rash of you! Show proper courtesy to the Prince!
I don't know how she could be so insolent even if she's uneducated
I'm overwhelmed with shame, sir
It's all right. She must really want to become a court lady
Did you bring these drinks?
Yes, sir
Did you say Sir Park Won-Jong sent these?
Yes, sir
He didn't say anything else?
No, he only said they're to congratulate you on your birthday
each drink has a congratulatory message
and you should drink them in order
You mean in this order?
No, sir
Then what order?
First is "Keumhyun," next "Chunchun," next "Gidang,"...
and lastly "Sawi"
Do you know the characters?
I've picked up a few here and there
What a child...
What's wrong?
Nothing... it's nothing
Sire...
You can go back now
Yes, sir
You should go back, too
Wait!
What's your name?
My name is Jang-Geum
What are you going to say to the person who sent you?
It's all right. You can tell me
I will tell him that you have accepted them gratefully
but you looked deeply troubled
Is that how I looked to you?
OK. Tell him that
Like she said, you do look deeply troubled. What is it?
It's nothing. She's very bright
Though she seems like a tomboy I think so, too
If you can, do fulfill her wish
That's all
Madam! I want to become a court lady in the Royal Kitchen
Please do take me
How dare you! Get out of here before I beat you
"Keum-chun-gi-sa" The sky of today is already dead
"Hyun-chun-dang-wi" Sky to come ought to be the sky
Just what could these mean? These are surely from...
"The War of Hwanggeonjeok" written by Jang Gak...
"The blue sky is dead already and the sky of Hwanggeonjeok...
ought to be the sky." So they only changed the first characters...
"Keum-chun," meaning sky of today referring to the King
and "Hyun-chun" meaning sky to come referring to my name Hyun
Sir Park Won-Jong is... he is... plotting treason with me in the front
What should I do?
I do not want to be the king when they succeed
nor do I want to be killed when they fail
OK. Good job
Yu Bin who was exiled to Jeolla Province is
already sending manifestos and up in arms
We must hurry
So how did it go?
He told her to say that he has accepted them gratefully
but he was deeply troubled
This means he has accepted it
We could lose the initiative and may not be able...
to assume leadership of politics later
Sir!
OK. We'll hurry and do it tonight
Did my wife ask them to catch me or something?
Kill him! Kill Yim Sa-Hong!
Yim Sa-Hong? Kill Yim Sa-Hong?
It must be treason! My money!
I still haven't received his payment
Yim Sa-Hong, pay me for my drinks!
The reforming party successfully enthroned Prince Jinsung
who is known as King Jungjong
Wait
I held up my sword like this and Yim took out his sword like this
So I ran up to him and yelled, "Felon Sa-Hong, receive my blow!"
And then what, Father?
Hey, I'm someone who can pull out a gall from a live bear
Do you think I'd be afraid of a little sword?
So did you get out of the way?
Not just get out of the way, but I threw...
Finally, it has come
I'll be recognized as the most valuable King's servant
Is this the residence of Chef Gang Duk-Gu?
Yes, I'm Gang Duk-Gu
Is there a girl named Jang-Geum here?
Yes, but...
Are you Jang-Geum?
Yes
You want to be a court lady?
Huh? Yes
Pack up. Let's go to the palace
Jang-Geum, if you don't want to go tell me and I'll try to get you out
Since he's a chef he knows many madams in the palace
I want to go
Hey, if you go there you can't be married for life and...
She says she wants to go!
Hey, my ear is bad as it is...
Anyway, if you enter the palace we won't be able to support you
Usually they have to provide different clothing
for different seasons and provide food for madams
but don't ever expect such things from me
Mother! Hey!
Why are you yelling at me?
She never mentioned anything to us!
If you want to go, then leave quickly and don't make me more upset
Please receive my obeisance
We must leave now
Who are you?
I came to ask a question
Let's leave now
Look at her... this is why you shouldn't accept...
any living thing into your family
Do you really have to go?
The palace is a scary place Don't go there, Jang-Geum
How dare you say that!
We're running late. Let's hurry
So she's leaving...
When did you take her in? About 2 years ago?
You want to know?
Yes
Then pay up
Huh?
If you really want to know then pay about 100 nyang
Didn't she come here with an injured woman about 2 years ago?
What? With... with a woman?
NO!
Go get water now! I told you we shouldn't take her in
Who's going to do all the work now? And who's going to rub my back?
Get going right now!
It's wasn't my idea to take her in...
Let's go
Now we'll test your virginity. Start
What is your name?
My name is Han Kwan-Duk
Roll up your sleeve
A fairy of Mt. Tai Shan in China violated the rules
and fell in love with a general As a punishment...
she couldn't say any words of her own, but only repeat what others said
One day she saw an officer plotting to kill the general
So she lured him to some place to kill him
but at the moment of killing him, the general found them
The officer lied to the general saying
she had been seducing him and the fairy who couldn't speak
her own words repeated what he had said
The angry general cut her throat Her spirit became a parrot
and for that reason the blood of a parrot has been used
to test the virginity in the Chinese Imperial Household
You'll be rejected if the blood flows down
for it means you aren't a virgin
I'm sorry, Madam I accidentally touched her arm
Do it again
Sure
OK
Now we'll head to the palace so get things ready
There's the King! Where? Where?
Over there!
Be quiet! How dare you make noise in here
Mother! I'm in the palace I've finally come here
I'll be the court lady in this place where you were
This is the palace. All women who enter the palace are the King's women
We don't allow anything less than perfection both in conduct and speech
Learn everything well and be great ladies
All rise!
You don't automatically become new brides just by entering the palace
You will have rigorous training early every morning for the next 15 days
And on the 15th day, you'll be assigned to your quarters
Of course, if you don't learn well you'll be cast out of the palace
so be ready and sleep in the rooms assigned by the attendants today
Stop wiping the floor and get the blankets
This isn't straight! Put the pillows over there!
What have you been doing anyway? Put the pillows over here!
It's not straight over there! Straighten it up!
Just what is this? It's filthy!
Give it back to me. Come on
How filthy!
Come on
You come over here and you go over there
How irritating... Just what is this...?
You and you there sleep over there, and I'll sleep on this warm side
Whose is this?
It's mine
Why did you bring it back? Throw it away!
Who are you?
Me? I'm Young-Ro
Why throw away others' stuff? Right
Why designate others' sleeping places? Right
Because I think I'm the oldest here and...
If you're the older one, you ought to choose the drafty spot and
let the younger ones have the warm side
That's right And you make us do all the work
That's right! That's right!
How do you read this?
It reads "Goong-joong-yeo-kwan"
What does it mean?
It could mean a woman with an official position in the palace
That's right. This is the official title for a court lady
A court lady is a lady official of the government
Therefore, in order to fulfill your duties, you must have
basic knowledge and keep your rank with dignity
You must flawlessly serve the superiors
and not lose your dignity to the lower rank
You're young but you can be 5th class court ladies
And you've been selected from middle and upper class families
Therefore, in identity, you're distinct from the servant girls
and the nurses who are chosen from the servant girls
You must display dignity to them
Take her out!
Why? What are you doing?
You're from a peasant class You don't know the basics
Why do you say I don't know the basics?
Weren't you adopted by the liquor place? My uncle told me
You know him too, don't you? He's a guard of the main palace
and he owns a dance bar, Sir Yoon Mak-Ke
I don't know how your kind got into this palace
but I can't sleep in the same room with you!
Open up! Open up!
Low ones like you should stay outside and keep watch
I'm not low!
Then who are your father and mother? What do they do?
My father is...
You must not tell anyone I was a military officer
And my mother is...
I was a court lady in the Royal Kitchen...
They aren't low
You heard it too, didn't you? Court ladies...
are selected from the middle or high class
I wonder how that thing came in here
She even boasts about her learning
Why don't you 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
Look. How could you write "black" like this?
Isn't it amazing?
Jang-Geum, do you really want to learn the characters?
Yes
I'll start teaching you tomorrow, so stop going to the school
Jang-Geum, don't be sad
Don't cry and don't give up easily
Jang-Geum, become the Highest Kitchen Lady of Royal Palace
and write down my grievances in the secret document that's passed down
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
Turtle, please make my mother well again
Jang-Geum!
Hi, Yeun-Seng
Where are you going?
The middle kitchen
The middle kitchen? Where is that?
I heard it's at the King's main palace
Main palace?
Yeah
We were told to stay in here
Yes, but I must go
You can't. You'll get into trouble You shouldn't do this
Why don't you go back inside?
No! I won't go back inside by myself
I'll go back inside with you
Bye
Jang-Geum!
Let's go back. We came too far
Who's there?
Tiger!
Jang-Geum, there must be a tiger...
No, it's all right
Who's there?
It was only a cat. Let's go
How can you be here at this time?
How about you?
It's all ruined because of you
What?
The last farewell
The last farewell?
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
and he had the highest score on the Sengjin Exam today
so he's meeting with the King
So I realized today that he isn't someone I should keep in my heart
He's a yangban (scholar-official) And I'm from a middle class
He's a servant of the King, and I'm the King's woman
So I was making my farewells, but you ruined it
Then do it again
We'll be on the watch for you
Not me... not me...
Will you really do that for me?
Thank you
You know this is a secret, right?
Of course!
No... no...
Just follow me
Middle kitchen
What are you going to find in the dark?
If we wait a little, we'll be able to see...
I can't see anything
Just wait
You can see a little now, right?
It should be somewhere...
Ouch! Yeun-Seng! Yeun-Seng!
Who are you? Get the lamp closer to them
What are you doing here?
Oh, my! Madam, the King's midnight snack...
What shall we do now? When Lady Choi finds out about this
our lives won't be spared
Lady Choi isn't the problem now Soon, eunuchs will be coming
and the head of food services, and the head lady... we're dead!
What are we going to do?
And tonight's snack was the precious milk porridge too
Be quiet! We can't make food here, so go to the Royal Kitchen
and bring any ingredients you can find
But, we don't have time...
Hurry...
Sure
Was the door open?
No, it's locked
All I could find were these
Ginger and lotus roots?
Yes, someone must've forgotten to take these after peeling them
How could we make snacks with these? We're dead now
I was right next-door and I wasn't even aware the kids came here
Peel them
What?
Hurry and peel the ginger
Sure
You girls, come over here. Here
Peel the ginger quickly