Enter the courtesans!
Chief Courtesan Im Baek Moo pays her respects to Your Honor.
The music courtesan Hyun Geum is missing?
Yes, Your Honor.
The music courtesan Hyun Geum...
Is she the courtesan who asked to be retired?
Yes, Your Honor.
Do you mean that child has asked this of you again?
You are the Mistress of the Courtesans and yet you know nothing.
Is this how you manage your subordinates?
So I hear that you went to ask for retirement.
My body is not well.
It is not your body, but your heart.
Did the man who broke your heart tell you that he was going to come for you?
Mistress!
Of course not.
He left when you were a healthy woman.
Why would he take you in now that you are blind and lame?
How long will you wait for him?
How long will you waste your life waiting for him?
Mistress!
Remember this! This is the courtesan troupe.
You cannot come and go as you please.
Please let me go.
Not unless you become a corpse.
Even if you don't wish to go then, I will let you go.
Before then, don't even think about it.
Let her leave the temple?
That child cannot even leave the mountains!
And you promised to let her leave?
I didn't say now...
One more bow. You're going to make it.
- Abbot! - 2,000 times already. 2,000.
Not many more left.
Quickly. Quickly. Go on. Go on.
One more bow. Quickly. Quickly.
You did a foolish thing.
How can such a small child bow 3,000 times?
How can you read people so poorly?
You've raised her for ten years and you still don't know her character?
Merely 3,000 bows?
That child can do 10,000 bows if it will achieve her purpose.
Then how...?
Go on, Jin Yi.
Three thousand... Three thousand!
Three thousand bows. I've completed it.
You'll keep the promise, right?
Jin Yi! Jin Yi!
Open your eyes!
Are you alright? Jin Yi! Jin Yi! Please get up.
How about I cajole her a little bit?
Maybe she'll forget the promise!
How can you belittle the significance of three thousand bows?
Even you have not performed the three thousand bows before.
So then...
Take her out.
Just once. What can possibly happen?
I'm not interested in candies.
Then you want to see the folks at the market?
Not interested.
Then why did you risk your life to perform the three thousand bows?
I'm searching for someone.
The Mistress has arrived!
This banquet is held in honor of the Ming dynasty's Ambassador.
You must give all your focus to this day. Do you understand?
Yes, Mistress.
It's been a long time.
How have you been, Your Honor?
You've lost weight.
Your weight loss is due to more than just the passage of time. Am I right?
Your heart must be troubled.
Do not make wild guesses, Your Honor.
You should have joined the courtesans in the capital city, Do-Sung.
I lack the talent to be there.
It is not talent you lack, but will.
If you have the will...
I do not fit in that position, Your Honor.
You are really going to give up like that?
That is not it.
When I am ready for the challenge, I will fight for it with honor.
I will take your leave to see to my matters.
It's all because of that Hyun Geum.
I'm talking about that girl who has riddled holes into our Mistress' heart.
You knew all along the welcoming party
included Envoy ChoiDang of Changhak Court, right?
If you have the energy to guess my thoughts, go to the Dance Courtesans instead.
Go and see if they've worn their costumes correctly!
Everyone in Korea knows how they choose the palace performances.
There's only one reason why the Changhak Court is coming here.
They might select a new troupe...
And so? So what will happen?
Would this not be the perfect chance for our Songdo troupe to advance to the capital?
Will we be selected if we don't have any talent?
You think about selling the bear hide without first catching the bear...
So are you saying once the bear's been caught, you're willing to sell the bear hide?
Isn't that right, Mistress?
We must first grab the opportunity.
That's the way to have a future.
Where did Jin Yi go?
You little rascals...!
Oh this child! What is she doing?
Jin Yi!
I thought I would recognize her.
She'd be wearing a red skirt,
a beautifully-colored top,
and she'd smell wonderful.
I thought if I came here... I'd recognize...
I would be able to find her.
You're talking about your mother?
That's the reason why I came to beg for alms.
That's the reason why I performed the three thousand bows.
Too many... there are too many women wearing beautiful red skirts...
I can't recognize my mother, Teacher.
Jin Yi.
Teacher, where is my mother? Where does she live?
Didn't I tell you that if you grow up to be a kind person, she'd come for you?
So she's not here because I'm a bad person?
Is that so?
Teacher, I miss my mother. Teacher, please bring me to her.
Jin Yi, don't cry.
Jin Yi! Where are you going?
Let's go together!
What are you all doing here?
Won't you turn your eyes away!
Let me down! Let me down!
The Songdo Troupe is indeed great in both skill and beauty!
Banquets have been held in Yi Province and Pyongyang Palace in your honor.
How do you think they compare?
They had much talent and beauty, but this troupe is far more excellent.
Baek Moo, did you hear what His Lordship has said? You must give your response!
We are humbled by your generous words. To show our gratitude, we will show...
Our troupe shall show you our response!
Mae-Hyang, what brings you here?
We were sent by His Majesty.
He has expressed worry that our esteemed visitors
would be left in the hands of village courtesans.
Is that so?
I am in charge of the performances at the palace.
I am the Mistress of Palace Troupe, Mae-Hyang.
You have traveled a great distance.
We wish to lessen your fatigue with our humble arts.
Oh, yes! Good!
It is a lie that His Majesty has sent you, isn't it?
Why do you ask if you already know?
Why are you doing this?
The one who started this fight is you, Your Honor.
Did you really think I wouldn't know why
you unnecessarily decided to welcome the ambassadors yourself?
Mae Hyang, you...!
Do you still have delusions about that Baek Moo?
Don't even dream about it.
I won't give up so easily.
Excellent indeed!
You still won't repent of your sins!
Why do you persist in delusions?
Beautiful. Extremely.
As disciples of Buddha, how can you be mesmerized by such vanity?
How can they be that beautiful?
How is the music so pure and clear?
Jin Yi!
What's wrong with seeing beautiful things and feeling excited?
I'm not certain, but I think even Buddha would have been excited to see it!
What?!
Teacher, how about if I perform for you?
A little... I still can remember a little of it.
If you see just a little, you won't be able to forget the sight either.
You rascal...!
You made three mistakes.
Why are you crying?
Who saved your father?
It was you, Mistress.
No, not me. It was my power and wealth.
How are you going to repay me?
I will repay by becoming the best courtesan.
Practice to the point of death.
Then, all the power and wealth that I own will be yours.
Do you understand?
Are you there?
I will enter.
What brings you here?
I hope you were not offended by our performance.
As you know, we courtesans do not have a say in anything.
We come when they bid, and go when they...
I understand. No need to explain.
My burden has been lifted since I have your understanding.
So what is your opinion?
What do you think of my girls?
I couldn't take my eyes off them.
They were so captivating I couldn't look away.
What are you so afraid of?
A..fraid? What are you saying?
Like I said. You are the Mistress of the Palace Troupe.
Why do you feel the need to leave the Palace
and perform out here in the provinces at the expense of your young girls?
Win or lose, it's clear. A loss is a loss. You should bear the face of a loser.
Is the art of the courtesans like a wrestling match?
Why must there be a loser and a winner?
You think I don't know your desire for my position?
Your position can only be taken by someone distinctive in her craft.
You are distinctive enough!
How can that be?
Humility upon humility is our way.
I uphold that belief.
You said they draw attention but fail to captivate.
But it looks to me like you're bothered by Mae Hyang's skills.
Not everyone can draw attention.
That's true...
We, not only failed to captivate, but we also failed to draw attention.
The most critical thing, however, is that our SongDo Troupe has no future.
I hear her name is Bu Yong.
Although her skills are still immature, she will surely get better as the days pass.
That is the unwavering future of Mae Hyang's girls.
I need new girls.
Amongst the girls now, none has potential.
No one can perform my dances.
We need children who are artistically talented.
Only such children can rejuvenate our SongDo Troupe.
Otherwise, our SongDo Troupe will have no future.
The path to the capital city will also be closed.
Where can we find such talented children?
Those girls have already been taken by the palace courtesans!
Even if you have to search in hell, that is still your mission.
No. That's not it.
I have to go back to the market.
Jin Yi!
I'll go and have a closer look so I can learn it properly!
If the Chief Abbot finds out, you won't just get a beating.
He'll break your legs!
Not just that. He'll take away your meals.
Then you'll starve! Don't you know that?
That's why I need your help.
What?
I'll go and learn a lot of things.
After I've learnt it, I'll teach you many interesting things.
How? Good?
Good?
May I ask a question?
Sure.
I'm looking for the beautiful women who sing and dance.
Sing and dance?
Maybe she's looking for the Courtesan troupe?
Have you seen the notices, little Buddha?
[Those who aspire to be courtesans, please come to the troupe]
Do all these girls belong to the troupe?
Then my girl here can as well!
So this is the sick Jin Yi?
Where did she go?
Is she at where I think she is?
No. Definitely not to the market.
It's the market, is it?
No! She didn't go to see the courtesans!
Really.
I already said no.
No? Why not?
Where do you think you're going dressed like that?
Stop wasting your breath and go back to the temple.
No! I want to learn the arts!
Stop dreaming!
A monk becoming a courtesan…. That's the craziest thing I ever heard!
Stop!
How is it that you have not yet perfected the second stanza of this dance?
And why isn't the breath following the beat?
I've emphasized so many times the importance of breath!
When the breath is erratic, your limbs are not in synchronization.
Then will not the body become like wood, dead and lifeless?
If you lack the talent, you should at least have heart!
What is that expression on your faces?
Who will you touch with those forced smiles?
Fools! Fools!
Our troupe's courtesans and the new girls...
All fools, the lot of them!
Keep looking for other children.
But that's not easy to do.
We searched the villages far and wide for even the girls you saw today.
Stop your excuses and just keep looking!
That child hasn't left yet!
Who is that child?
She's from the temple as you can see.
She was pestering me to be a courtesan. Just wait a moment, I'll chase her away.
Why are you stopping?
The dance is not finished yet. Go on and continue.
I only saw the dance up until here.
Saw the dance?
You mean to say, you never learnt this dance before?
Yes. I saw the dance at ManWolDae a few days ago.
But I didn't get to see the end of it.
Then you saw it once and memorized it?
Yes.
What did you feel?
This dance should have made you feel something.
No feelings at all?
I was sad.
Sad?
Yes.
Why did you feel the sadness?
That, I do not...
"Fallen flowers carried away by flowing waters"
That's the name of the dance you did just now.
It means flower petals are carried away by flowing waters.
Even though they are beautiful flowers, they are being carried away. Thus sadness is felt!
What is your name?
Jin Yi. I'm Hwang Jin Yi.
Jin Yi. Would you like to learn this dance in full?
Can I really?
Learn what?
Teacher!
How can you offer to teach her dance when you can see she is from the temple?
This child is practicing the teachings of Buddha.
She is not yet a nun, is she?
What?
So young and wearing such clothes, that tells me she's a lonely orphan.
How about we let the child decide?
Whether courtesan or nun, aren't these both lowly positions?
Now here...!
Well, do you want to continue to learn the arts?
This is nonsense.
This child was placed at the temple by her parents.
Her parents would never agree to this.
On our way. Let us leave!
Teacher!
Stubborn girl!
Let's go.
Hwang Jin Yi, is that right?
Come here any time you want.
This is the SongDo Troupe!
Open up. Let me out.
Make a vow. Vow to never do this again!
Make a vow then I'll let you out.
I don't want to. I won't vow.
Let me out.
I really want to learn the arts.
The troupe... I want to go to the troupe!
You rascal! What stubbornness!
If you keep disobeying, your mother will not come for you!
I don't care! Let me out!
If my mother comes, just tell her I am at the Troupe!
Alright.
What must I do to get that child?
Cease your stubbornness!
It's been 3 days already.
You haven't had a drop of water. If this goes on, you might die.
Yes, Jin Yi. Just make a vow never to go to the troupe!
Then the Chief Abbot will give you food.
No.
I will go to the troupe.
I will go to learn the arts.
I'm ashamed of this.
You must protect the child, Teacher.
You must prevent her from venturing to this path.
I think it is too late.
Teacher.
Blood is thicker than water.
I have already declared a living child to be dead.
I didn't even give her a single mouthful of milk from my breast.
I just wanted her to be free from this wretched profession!
- You... - Just for a while.
Please keep her a while longer, Teacher. I will think of something.
Please just...
- Is this true? - Mistress!
I am asking if you claimed your child was dead and sent her to a temple?
Mistress...
This is our country's law. The daughter of a courtesan becomes a courtesan.
You have broken this law! And you have lied to me about it!
Please let her off, I beg you.
Irreverent wretch!
The child is gone? What do you mean?
Yes. Even the guard doesn't know where she has run off to.
No, it can't be.
Her mother claimed her dead and hid her for ten years.
She will do anything.
If that is true, that child will surely come to the troupe.
Whatever it is, we must intercept her and transfer her to somewhere safe.
I understand. I will arrange it.
Where have you hidden the child?
How can the blind hide the child away?
Why aren't you telling the truth still?
You impertinent wretch!
Will you talk if you are caned?
- Take her. - Yes.
Wait!
Have her caned on troupe grounds, your Honor.
Mistress Im...
I wish to make this a deterrent to the others.
3rd stroke.
4th stroke.
5th stroke.
6th stroke.
7th stroke.
8th stroke.
Where did you hide your daughter?
My daughter died a long time ago.
I buried her in the dirt and in my heart.
Where can I hide a dead child?
Do you want me to repeat the law of the country?
Don't you know that parents have no say in the life of a courtesan's child?
You can be put to death.
My child is already dead.
So you won't talk unless you've been put to death!
Jin Yi!
Mistress, please just kill me.
Stubborn girl.
What are you doing? Keep hitting her until she talks!
That is enough.
Your Honor!
Loosen the ropes.
Your Honor!
If this continues, she will die.
Try cajoling.
Lock her up then question her later.
There's time for that.
Loosen the ropes.
And who's this?
Isn't this Jin Yi?
I'm here to learn the arts. May I join the troupe?
Of course you can.
Come right in.
No, you must not!
Don't do it. You must not enter this place!
Escape quickly. Run as far as you can.
Come in quickly. Come in.
No. Don't come in.
You can't come in! Run away quickly! Run as far as you can!
Hurry, come in.
No, run away! Don't come in! Run as far as you can!
Don't listen to her. Just come right in.
Cross the door quickly.
Come across that door and you'll be in the troupe.
The path of courtesans.
You can't! Jin Yi!
You can't!