Episode 17
Today we will start choreographing the Drum Dance.
I trust you are prepared.
If your dance is not worthy,
not only will it kept hidden,
but it will not be allowed to be performed at the royal banquet.
So then, shall we begin?
How many times must you do this?
When will you stop your dreaming?
Myung-Wol, you wench!
I thought you had learned how to control yourself, but I was wrong!
So is it love again?
Have you lost your focus and willpower again for love?
Where are you going?
Stop this instant!
What is the reason?
Why have you stop practicing?
I do not want to dance right now.
No, I cannot dance.
You have just barely started.
Begin practice again immediately!
- No. - You know what the punishment is.
Will you break my legs?
How can I do that? You will not be able to dance then.
What about putting me in prison?
You do not have the time to spend in such leisure.
Geum-Choon! Tie her up immediately.
If she does not dance, beat her!
Yes, Mistress.
Stop your foolish stubbornness!
All you have to do is lift up your leg!
I can't dance.
I don't want to dance right now.
You will die an early death at this rate!
- Crazy girl. - Foolish child!
How can she bear this for three days without food and water?
- Stupid girl...! - Let her do what she wants, Mistress.
What are you saying? Get out there and go to her!
We'll break her legs at this rate!
It is not possible to break a leg by caning!
I can't!
- Look here! - I will die first before her leg breaks!
Are you conscious?
Get up and drink some of this.
The Maestro brought this for you.
Drink this for his sake.
Hurry and drink this. Drink it all up!
What is this?
This is the famous Black Ginseng that brings back the dead!
Why this...?
How tired you must be running around in your condition!
Drink this and regain your energy.
What are you doing? Hurry and drink up!
This was for my Miss, but I saved some for you.
So drink it before anyone sees you...!
I can't do anything else for you.
No matter how much I search, there is nothing else...
My Lord!
You rascal, Sang-Soo!
Yes, Father... Yes...
You wench! How dare you call me by my name!
- Why can't I? - How dare you insult your superior!
Superior? Don't make me laugh! I should be caning you!
Caning?
Even a courtesan gets caned for not practicing.
A lazy scholar should definitely get caned!
My Lord! When will you stop idling your days away?
When you're awake you're with me, and when I'm not here, you're sleeping!
At this rate, will I ever get to see you wear an official's dress?
Why won't you?
- Why? Are you going to steal one? - Steal? How dare you!
There are many positions in the government.
- What do you mean? - There are many positions!
The High Commissioner is my relative.
He has promised to support me.
- Is that true? - Of course it's true!
Don't you worry your little head. My salary will be spent all on you!
Why are you doing this again?
Why are you suffering again?
You said you wanted to dance again.
You said you wanted to dance so much you would have knelt before the Mistress.
Is it because of the Minister?
Are you suffering because you let him go?
Is that why?
That's not it.
That's not the reason.
You wish to reduce the size of the banquet?
That is so.
This banquet is...
To celebrate His Majesty's 20 year reign.
You know well. Why then do you propose such an outrageous request?
Royal banquets must be lavish and extravagant
in order to support the throne's majesty and power!
The throne's majesty and power does not stem from royal banquets.
What?
Your Majesty, I beseech you to reduce the banquet's budget
and instead distribute it to the people.
What an outrage this is!
The people should be paying tribute to His Majesty!
Our country is overflowing with the sick and the needy, Minister!
Look here, Minister!
Is it your opinion that it is due to my lack of concern?
I do, your Majesty.
What?
How dare you suggest such a thing in the presence of His Majesty?
Do you think your crime will go unpunished!
When will you stop trying to hide the truth?
It is a Minister's duty to report the truth to His Majesty!
Look here, Minister!
Your Majesty, I beg you to punish me.
You want me to punish you?
The biggest reason for the poor state of the nation's people
is the ineptitude and bad advice of the ministers.
How can we call ourselves your advisors?
Please punish us,
but you must never forget your duty as King to reign with mercy.
Please pay heed to bitter words.
A wise monarch is not just a King that does not make mistakes.
Rather, it is when He acknowledges mistakes and tries his best to rectify them
that makes him a wise monarch admired by his people and his descendents.
You are right.
Your Majesty!
You are right when you say the throne's majesty is not determined by its banquets.
Your Majesty!
We will set an example to the people and share in the people's pain.
Then the people will respect the throne,
and that throne will be more admired
and considered more majestic than any other throne in history.
- It has been a while. - What brings you here?
Take a seat.
I have some business to attend to, and besides, my good friend has returned
and is in need of celebrations.
So... how is Song-Do?
Were you able to accomplish everything?
Well... almost.
To meet is to bid farewell...
It is the rule of this world that all those we meet we must bid farewell.
You told Myung-Wol to teach me this.
I hope you taught her well too.
Here now...!
No no...
To bid farewell is to meet again.
It is also the rule of this world that we will all meet again.
Perhaps it was this that you taught.
- I have to work. - Did you give her a token of your love?
When will you go to see her again?
I have no reason to see her again.
Oh no, what a fickle man you are.
I thought it was the first you had ever fallen in love with anyone
and gave her up for your sake.
How could you not be able to capture her heart?
You want me to try to capture the Minister's heart again?
Today, when I was entertaining Lord Byuk Gae-Soo's guests,
they were laughing about how the Minister was heartbroken.
The Minister is heartbroken? Why?
What do you mean why? Because he wasn't able to bed Myung-Wol!
But then again, how could he when even Lord Byuk Gae-Soo could not?
In any case, all the officials at that party were bustling about it.
They were challenging each other to do what the Minister was unable to!
Look at you...! I'm telling you this for your sake, but you're not listening!
Send a message to the Minister.
The best medicine for a broken heart is a new one. If you console him...
No. I don't want to.
- I don't want to anymore. - Have you lost interest already?
You were so in love with him only a few days ago!
- But you've already lost interest? - It's nothing like that.
I don't think I'll ever feel the same way about anyone else.
I forgot that the more a woman pursues a man,
the further he will run from her.
I was so obsessed I forgot about that.
I want to focus on the Drum Dance for the time being.
I want him to acknowledge me as the nation's finest dancer.
And during that time,
his loneliness will increase.
If so, would I not be given another chance shortly?
What have you found out?
We have been digging in a few places near Nam-Yang.
We have found a few small mines, but we are unable to find large quantities.
I was told that there was a rich ore in that area.
Double the workforce and instruct them to increase the hours!
- Money is no object. - But you've spent so much already.
Your Excellency... This is the government's duty.
Why are you using your own money to do such a thing?
That is of no concern to you.
I have to gain His Majesty's favor somehow.
That is the only way I can a chance with Myung-Wol.
Will you banter in poetry with me, my Lord?
Banter in poetry?
You can respond by theme, or even the emotion of the poem.
When I entered the 500 year Capital astride a lonely horse,
the scenery had not changed, but there were no great men to be found.
Alas, how empty is the tranquility of this great nation?
The old mountain is forever, but water flows anew,
When it is flowing day and night, how can it not be refreshed anew?
When a great man departs, there never will be another like him.
Myung-Wol is not here? What do you mean?
I was going to tell her that now that her body has healed
she must obey you and start practicing. But her clothes were gone!
- What? - What shall we do?
It is almost time for us to send the musical score to the City.
Find her.
I don't care if she's here or somewhere in the country. Find her!
She ran away in the middle of the night?
- With Mu-Myung? - That's what I said!
- Where can we find her? - Well... that...
Where do you think she'll be? Go to the capital city!
Don't you think the Minister and Myung-Wol were acting a little strange?
She must have gone off to meet him!
It's not like that!
- Are you sure? - That's what I said!
If that's not it, then has she eloped with Mu-Myung?
Is that why they ran away?
- How can that be? - Why couldn't it be that?
She even wanted to make him her Gisaeng-Husband!
She doesn't want to practice, and there aren't a lot of banquets nowadays.
It'll be strange if she didn't want to run away.
That's enough! Stop it, you silly wenches!
Why did I even ask you silly bird-brains?
Duk-Pal! Send all the servants out to search Song-Do for her.
If that's not enough, talk to the Gyobang Master to send dispatches out.
Yes Madam.
Remove that nest. I must see what the mother bird will do.
I will go to where the eagles are.
It looks as if most of the movements have been settled.
Now all you have to do is concentrate on your practice.
You have done well Bu-Yong.
I have only done what I should.
The Mistress has requested that you include this.
How long have you been a widow?
Didn't you say it was about three years?
Then it must have been a while since you had a woman.
Will you do me a favor? If so, you can have me.
Draw me another book according to my instructions.
Why haven't you been able to find her yet?
- How many days has it been? - Well... it's been...
- What about the servants? - No news for them...!
Mistress! Mistress!
- What is it? - We found them.
We found where Miss Myung-Wol is.
What are you doing here?
Will you not return this moment!
Don't you know what I am doing here?
Don't you feel anything looking at that?
Tell me how you feel.
I don't have the time to be chatting with you!
You still... don't see your crime, do you?
- What? - Your dance is false!
Throw your useless dance book into the flames!
If you are not confident, then just say so.
If you find the movements too difficult to learn, then just admit it!
That's right. The movements are too difficult.
It is beyond difficult.
- Now you're being honest. - And why do you think that is?
Why are the hand, knee, leg movements so difficult and so complicated?
Do you even have to ask?
I have spent so much time teaching you. Must I start from the beginning again?
Is it not you that must learn from the beginning again?
What?
This dance is the creation of an arrogant and prideful shrew. It's garbage!
These are the movements of the most beautiful and elegant dance in the world!
Try it. Why don't you try to learn it? It's so difficult!
- Let's see who can learn it. - Myung-Wol!
You were so caught in your own pride that you forgot something important.
This is just a depiction of a dancer who is imitating the Crane.
It is missing the heart, the mind and the emotions of the Crane!
What nonsense are you talking about?
Is that so?
Fly up gracefully, and land lightly.
The crane's movements are elegant.
- Is that always so? - Think about how it moves!
- I've seen it with my own eyes. - Then?
It is anxious. It wonders whether the eagle has taken its chicks.
It lands on the earth as if it is landing in the flames.
Fear and trepidation. It flies away rapidly.
It flaps its wings in suffering.
But its eyes become calm.
Why?
The birth of its chick. The joy of seeing it hatch.
Can it be any different than us?
You do not dance with your body alone.
It is wrong to just merely
smile like a lovely flower.
You must make the expression of the dance show in your movements.
All this must come together to make a real dance.
Listen to my words.
The purpose of art is not to memorize dance movements and be proud.
Do not choose your music by the ability of your fingers.
Sing with your heart, not your throat!
Dance is poetry in motion. Put your heart in all your movements!
- Enough! - Does it make you uncomfortable?
Of course it does. These are all from your own lips.
Now you know how useless that precious dance book of yours is.
It is empty shell designed for difficult movements but no emotion.
That is true face of your precious Crane Dance.
So throw that book in the fire.
And forget about performing it at the royal banquet.
Mistress!
I must find the heart... It must be here somewhere.
This is not just movements. It is not a collection of difficult movements!
I did not... I did not spend thirty years of my life for that!
What is wrong? Why are you doing this?
This is only dance in the country!
This is what my Mistress and I spent our whole lives creating!
The movements that only I can perform...!
I will not forgive anyone who insults it!
- I will not forgive! - Mistress!
I have spent thirty years as a courtesan to complete this dance!
I won't... I won't let it be insulted this way.
Of course there will be faults.
Nothing's perfect in this world.
I must find it.
No matter what... no matter what... I must complete this dance!
I must complete it!
Why can't I even dance the way I used to?
I can't even dance it anymore...!
It's been a long time.
Did you wait for me?
Forgive me.
You know why I need forgiveness, right?
I gave someone else the love that I gave you,
no, perhaps even more than what I gave you.
Don't forgive me.
You... were right.
You were right.
That dance was wrong.
I... I want to start again.
I must dance the Crane Dance properly.
I must see it completed.
So?
I need you.
I need the movements you showed me.
Let's start from there.
- If you and I work together... - What if I don't want to?
- Jin-Yi! - It's Myung-Wol!
Don't say my name.
I never want to be called my name by you ever again.
What must I do?
What can I do to make you dance with me again?
Why don't you kneel before me?
Not to me, but to the dead.
To the young man whose life you ended, why don't you kneel to him?
Kneel and weep tears like rivers and the ocean.
Tell him you're sorry! Tell him you've done him wrong!
Beg for his forgiveness!
You won't, will you? Or is it that you can't?
It is no big issue to die.
You don't think that anything else matters other than your talent.
That's how you think.
Am I wrong?
I won.
I have defeated my proud and unflappable Mistress.
Are you satisfied?
But what shall we do?
This is not enough to satisfy me.
I don't want to dance the Crane Dance.
I... I hate this obsession you have.
I fear it and dread it!
You have discovered a mine of ore!
That instrument you have just heard is made out of that metal ore.
Your Majesty! That is not all Lord Byuk Gae-Soo has done.
He has not only obtained China's music scores,
but he has also offered to distribute their instruments to all our cities!
Well... what a blessing this is!
How shall I reward you?
Reward? It is not necessary, your Majesty!
No, that is not right. Tell me what you desire.
I will give you whatever you desire.
Do not hesitate! Tell me what it is!
I... do have one request.
Hurry and tell me what it is.
I told you I would allow anything.
I wish to keep a courtesan at my side.
A courtesan?
Do you mean you wish to take her as your concubine?
I have overstepped my boundaries.
Please ignore my request, your Majesty.
No, there is no need for that. I cannot take back my word.
I told you I would give you anything.
So... What is the name
of this courtesan you speak of?
It is Myung-Wol from the Song-Do Gyobang.
What brings you here?
Give up your obsession with Myung-Wol.
Are you offended that I will be plucking the flower you weren't able to?
I am telling you to stop bothering her!
She is to become a concubine of His Majesty's relative.
And that is with His Majesty's approval.
What can be better for a courtesan?
She is an artist renowned for her talents.
If she is to be your concubine, she will no longer be able to perform.
That is not good for the advancement of our country's arts.
- Enough. - Look here.
You told me the other night that you have no reason to see her again.
Isn't that right?
Why do you have so much concern for a courtesan you will never see again?
Look here!
Whether she is a courtesan or becomes a concubine
is no longer of any concern to you.
If not, I will regard this as
you not being able to throw away your feelings for her
and that you stand between me and her.
A banquet? For Lord Byuk Gae-Soo's nuptials as his concubine?
It is His Majesty's decree. He has ordered us to throw a lavish banquet.
If she is to be his concubine, then what of the royal banquet? The Crane Dance?
- My Lord! - That is enough.
It is His Majesty's decree.
Sister! Sister!
Tread lightly! You'll break the door!
Myung-Wol is going to become Lord Byuk Gae-Soo's concubine!
What?
Dan-Shim, what is she talking about?
You're pregnant with his child, so why is she becoming his concubine?
Did you lie about it?
Does that child really belong to Lord Byuk Gae-Soo?
I have never met a sillier girl than you.
Don't cry.
Didn't you know?
No matter how much you love him, he will never look at you.
You fool!
Why is that Myung-Wol so late?
She must be dressing up!
Today is her wedding day! Isn't that right?
What is the meaning of this?
What will you use that for?
- Do you intend to hang yourself? - Yes, your Excellency.
You wench!
I will rather commit suicide than marry a man I don't love.
I knew you would do this.
I knew you would not agree to be my concubine so easily.
Do you despise the thought of becoming my concubine that much?
Fine. Then I will tell you how you can avoid becoming my concubine.
These are scholars renowned for their skills.
If you can defeat them in a poetry contest, I will allow you to reject this marriage.
Must I defeat them all together?
Why? Does it make you nervous?
How can that be?
I am afraid that it will be too easy as there are not enough opponents.
Why don't you join in, your lordships?
If I am defeated, I will become his concubine.
And if we lose?
- Let us take off one item of clothing. - You want us to strip?
That is so, my Lord.
- It won't be fun to strip ourselves. - If Lord Byuk allows it, I will strip as well.
You have to defeat ten scholars!
- I know. - Do you wish to be naked in public?
I will have no choice if I am defeated.
- What say you? Shall we give it a try? - You might as well marry me now.
It is impossible to defeat ten scholars in poetry!
Unless we try, we will never the answer to that.
Why do you sit there? Write the poem, or take off your jacket.
Have you enjoyed yourselves?
What shall we do about your wicked sense of humor?
How can you be so cruel?
Your Excellency, why don't we move to the next venue?
Please consider this a challenge intended for fun.
Please... Please redress yourselves.
I will instruct the dancers to perform for you. So please do not be offended.
I hope you will be so offended as to leave the banquet.
Enough!
It is an unworthy dance!
Your Excellency, has your anger not yet abated?
Impudent wench! When did I say I was angry?
I said I did not find their dance worthy!
We are trying our best. The dance is not yet over...!
Shut up!
Stop your useless dancing and just pour wine!
That is what you're good at...!
Your Excellency...
What is dance and what is music?
These are merely methods in making the men you serve more pliable.
I told you I would embrace you! I said I would embrace all of you!
Myung-Wol, why don't you leave? His Excellency is angry because of you.
Settle yourself, your Excellency. You must keep your dignity.
Shut up.
What are you doing? Why are you just standing there?
Do you intend to follow that wench's example and offend your superiors?
Your Excellency, the dance is not yet completed.
I will instruct them to pour wine for you after their performance.
I told you I don't need to see it!
Why don't you take a seat as well?
No, no... You might as well leave.
No one will volunteer to be the partner of an aging courtesan.
Get up, all of you.
- Mistress! - I said get up!
- Mistress! - How dare you disobey me!
- I told you to leave this instant! - You are not prostitutes or barmaids!
So get up this instant!
Chil-Sung, what are you doing there? Drag that wench out this instant!
A dancer must complete her dance no matter what the circumstance.
That is a dancer, and an artist.
That is enough. Cease this.
You've said enough.
Tell the girls to perform again for you.
After they perform, I will instruct them to pour wine.
I told you I don't need your despicable dancing!
You wench!
Do you think our talents are base because we were low-born?
The dance... has not yet finished!