(All characters, places, and incidents in this drama...)
(are fictional and unrelated to historical events.)
What brings you here?
Would you like to...
marry me?
I think we should talk somewhere else.
There are so many rats listening in.
Are there rats?
Tae Soo, bring some snacks to my room.
Tae Soo.
What was the mood like?
Tell us already.
She was so beautiful.
I think our boss might get married soon!
Married, my foot.
Beautiful, my foot.
That woman has these slanted eyes,
and she looks like she'll gobble Hoon up.
I know, right?
Yes.
Three-Month Temp, you must know how to read faces.
But what's up with your face?
What?
Marriage?
You didn't care for me,
but was Hoon one of your options as your husband?
All right.
Let's get married.
However, I'm intending to continue my work as a matchmaker.
I still have about...
three-years worth of debt left that I borrowed due to work,
and I'm not actually welcomed warmly back at home.
So you won't be able to receive a single breadcrumb...
from the Ma family.
You don't have to make meaningless excuses...
just to say no to my offer.
I hope you're not offended.
I know you're just trying to compare prospective husband material...
and weigh your various options...
before the queen selection process.
And thanks to you, I've become more certain.
We have many clients that may fit your taste.
If you change your mind, feel free to come back.
I won't see you off.
Have a nice day.
I, Yim Jung Suk,
stand before Your Majesty.
I am well aware of your virtuous deeds.
It's merely been exaggerated.
Before I acknowledge your deeds,
there is something I must check first.
Did you really...
abandon your family and run away?
Yes, I did.
I am staying at a courtesan house.
You must go somewhere further.
Where do you mean?
Go to the king's palace.
Go and save my father's face.
I didn't go of my own will.
My uncle sent me.
I had lived in solitude for my whole life,
and he wanted me to get remarried...
even if it meant throwing away my family's honor.
He even prepared...
a place at the courtesan house for me just in case word got out.
That is why the Chief State Councillor...
kept refusing your honor.
I didn't know how considerate the Chief State Councillor was,
and kept being stubborn about it.
I'm still an incompetent king.
You are being too humble, Your Majesty.
Since the Chief State Councillor seems so determined,
how could I force my decision on you?
Chief State Councillor.
Can I help your niece-in-law to get remarried?
Your Majesty, encouraging her remarriage...
may lead to corrupt behavior from other women.
We ask you to reconsider.
- Please reconsider, Your Majesty. - Please reconsider, Your Majesty.
Is there...
anything you want?
I wish my daughter...
will not suffer due to my decision.
Chief State Councillor.
You have such an admirable niece-in-law.
How about this then?
If your daughter has someone to get married to,
how about the royal family handle the wedding?
Won't that be enough for your niece-in-law...
to stop living in hiding at a courtesan house?
Your Majesty's kindness...
is as great as the rivers and seas.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
- Thank you, Your Majesty. - Thank you, Your Majesty.
How dare a lowly woman mess with me?
How dare she.
Hyun.
Yes, my lord.
Isn't the weather so lovely today?
But accidents usually happen on a day like this.
What if something bad happens to my fragile niece-in-law?
I'm...
sincerely concerned.
I'll get ready.
Once something falls into my hands,
it can never escape from me without my permission.
It's time for us to take action.
The regency should end soon.
The Chief State Councillor...
has the royal court in the palm of his hand.
I doubt he'll give up his position so easily.
That's why we need a new face.
Someone who has control over young scholars of Sungkyunkwan...
and is strongly trusted by all officials.
Lord Yun Dong Seok, for example.
Numerous members of the court have already visited him.
Even the late King visited him in person.
But Lord Yun refused any offer on account of his daughter's illness.
That's the kind of person we need on our side.
Winning a person's heart is never easy.
What is this?
Lady Yim's second marriage is out of the question now,
and we got on the wrong side of someone important.
Still, isn't it fortunate?
Nothing bad happened to anyone. That's what matters the most.
Hoon, are you really going to marry...
that mean lady?
She was as beautiful as I had heard.
What? Is there something you want to say?
No.
I believe you have something to tell me.
- I don't think so. - But you do.
Something about His Majesty, for example.
Now I remember what I need to tell you.
Why would you want to gossip about His Majesty in private?
Hoon, you can't marry a woman just because she's beautiful!
What's more important is her personality!
He said she's beautiful.
What?
What's with this girl?
Does Gae Ttong know?
Do you expect her to accept the fact that her fiancé is the King?
So what's your plan?
I'm only putting her back where she belongs.
Do you remember the thing I once said?
What happens if a dog and a cat are kept in the same house?
You said nothing happens, as I recall.
But let's say the dog starts having feelings for the cat.
What do you think will happen?
The dog will embrace the cat, who claws at him.
Without knowing he's bleeding all over his body.
Are you sure you can deal with it?
You'll have to send her...
to the King yourself.
What else can I do?
She'll be safest there.
(Episode 10: A Miserable Love)
(The 10th Flower: Marigold)
What are these?
What else? They're the books you have to read and memorize.
All of them?
These letters are indecipherable!
I can't even read them, much less memorize them.
Where did you learn that vulgar way of talking?
I have no idea.
I just ended up talking this way after wandering around places.
We'll have to change your way of talking first.
Always talk politely and respectfully.
Do you understand, Lady Yun?
All right.
"I understand."
I understand.
Scholar Ma, I'm afraid...
I can't understand anything at all what these books are saying.
I don't know what to do.
I didn't expect you to be able to read them anyway.
Here's a summary of the books in plain language.
Read it as often as you can and memorize it.
Are you sure this is a summary?
Here's something even more important.
Any noble lady is expected to know these poems by heart.
All of these?
Whatever. It's not like I'm entering the queen selection process.
Memorize 40 poems of your choice from this book,
and I'll take you out on July 7.
Is that a promise?
Then can I write my wishes on a sky lantern and fly it too?
Only if you memorize them all.
I'll do it.
About the Second State Councillor's daughter...
Do you mean Lady Kang?
Try to sound like a noble lady at all times.
I don't think you understand.
Do you know how aggressive that lady can be?
You have no idea how scary she looks when she glares at you.
You only have until the seventh.
If you fail this time, it'll be your third time.
That's not fair! The last time shouldn't count!
Wait, let me see.
I think you owe me an apology.
Fine, I'll be generous and give you a chance to be forgiven.
A chance?
Let me know where he lives.
I mean the man who gave me my name.
Did you forget that you're not allowed to go out?
That's why this will make us even.
I'd like to show my gratitude to him for giving me the name.
Let me show you what Five Pun can do.
Eat whenever you can.
Do you understand?
Go now.
Who are you?
Is that you?
You're...
The weather is pretty cold.
Cover yourself with this.
What are you doing here?
Mister, you shouldn't come in here.
- Get out right now. - I said, what are you doing here?
I owe the owner of this house.
- Get out! - Wait.
You owe the owner of this house?
Yes. Get out of his house before he comes.
Goodness. Take care, okay?
(Flower Crew)
You can find Flower Crew at the end of Pimatgol Alley.
Come to that place if you have nowhere to sleep.
(Flower Crew)
Flower Crew?
Matchmaker Ma?
Then is she that girl he talked about?
There you are.
I couldn't find you anywhere,
so I came to your place just in case.
I did not think I'd actually find you here.
Please just pretend you never saw me.
It will be better for both our sakes.
You should return to your post.
The royal court needs a fresh wind.
The wind never settles down in one place.
After knocking someone down,
it blows away with the person.
If that is the kind of wind you are talking about,
I must decline.
Just as I heard, he is very stubborn.
What is that?
The 7th day of the 7th month is coming up soon.
I guess everyone wants to fly sky lanterns with their wishes.
The 7th day of the 7th month?
Time flies by so quickly.
Your Majesty.
How about we write down our wishes together?
(When all movements stop as the night deepens)
"When all movements stop..."
"as the night deepens,"
"the bright moon..."
"shines over the empty garden."
"It washes away..."
"all the impurities from my mind..."
"and reveals my true love."
"Reveals my true nature."
Can't you read it even with the annotations?
(Annotation: A note of explanation added to a text)
(Reveals my true nature)
But why would one...
realize one's true nature while looking at the moon?
Does this person not even fancy anyone?
"It reveals my true love."
That's much better.
Just memorize it.
What is that?
You don't need to know.
I've definitely seen this character somewhere.
(Flower)
Could this be "Flower Crew's Book of Rules"?
So this actually exists?
Let me borrow this.
You'd better give it back.
Take it if you can.
What are you two doing here?
Lady Yim will move back to her parents' house soon.
What will you do?
I should go see her off.
Chapter 11 of Flower Crew's rules.
"Once a client, forever a client,
even if the marriage does not work out."
Of course. I'll get ready.
You're not allowed to go out.
Have you forgotten again?
Gosh, this girl is such a nuisance. Just take her, please.
I will memorize it.
I'll be sure to memorize it, so take me with you. Please?
She says she'll memorize it.
You two get along only at times like this.
Mother.
Mother...
Are you all right?
I came to say goodbye.
I'm fine.
Thank you for everything.
I will get going, then.
Why did you not run away?
You could've been put in danger.
Because I am a mother.
Not all mothers...
are like you.
I disagree.
A mother never...
abandons her child under any circumstances.
(Wolhyanggwan)
I'll walk you to the gate.
Why are you all here?
Chapter 11 of Flower Crew's rules.
"Once a client, forever a client,
even if the marriage does not work out."
Someone said so.
You said you didn't care.
Still, she is my client as she came to the courtesan house to see me.
Don't you feel like we're at a mokkoji of some sort?
(Mokkoji: A gathering for a party or a day of fun)
Hold on.
I think you're being tailed.
We'll distract whoever that's tailing you,
so take Jung Suk to the gate.
We'll meet you there.
What about me?
Find them!
Don't be scared.
I will protect you.
Don't be scared. I will protect you.
Mother, let me out.
I will. Don't be scared.
I will protect you.
- Mother. - Where are they?
Where did they go?
You little...
I shall teach you a lesson!
Father?
No, no!
Don't go!
Mother, where are you going?
I must go. You can come too.
When will we return?
We won't return.
Let's go, Joon. You should come with me.
No.
I'm going to spin tops with Gang Woo tomorrow.
No, I don't want to go!
We might get caught.
Uncle.
We need to leave. Hurry.
- Let's go, Joon. - No!
- Come back for him later. - I can't leave without him.
- No! - You'll both die if you're caught.
No!
Okay. Go play with Gang Woo at school tomorrow, okay?
Why don't we play hide-and-seek then?
After playing with Gang Woo tomorrow,
come look for me under that zelkova tree.
It's your turn to find me tomorrow.
- Let's go. - Okay?
- Hurry. We must leave. - Joon.
- Joon. - Mother...
Do Joon!
I was the one who abandoned my mother.
They couldn't have gotten far.
- Find them. - Yes, sir.
You were right.
A mother...
never abandons her child under any circumstances.
How could you leave me like that?
You guys have no loyalty at all!
Am I like the rabbit you kill after the hunt is over?
Don't you mean a dog?
Whatever.
Your mother will be waiting for you.
It's too late.
It isn't late.
It's never too late between a parent and a child.
There they come.
Did anyone threaten you by any chance?
How could anyone hurt me when it's the King's order?
That gentleman told me about it.
We will vouch for your marriage.
Although he may be a bit cranky,
he always keeps his promise,
so you can trust him.
Thank you.
I'll be going now.
Take care.
I'll charge extra fees for today's happening.
Look at this mess.
I'm a man of class.
The classiest and most handsome man in the entire city.
Why don't we all go for a drink tonight?
I'm totally in.
I can't.
I have someone I must see.
Let's go for drinks then.
Do you know how much I...
Hey, guys. Three-Month Temp.
Don't leave me behind again.
Darn.
How could you let them get away?
I don't deserve to live, sir.
Before I really take your life, get out.
That girl was with them too.
The girl your son took with him last time.
Did you find out anything about her?
She's the daughter of Yun Dong Seok, Yun Su Yeon.
- The daughter of Yun Dong Seok? - Yes.
Be careful.
You may be bitten by a tiger next time.
Is there anything else you need to tell me?
No, sir.
Yun Dong Seok's daughter and Ma Hoon?
I'm so tired.
I look like a total beggar.
Look at this mess.
Whatever. Hoon, I'm going inside...
to clean my babies first.
See you later.
Take it off.
Take what off?
[VIU Ver] jTBC E10 'Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency' "A Miserable Love" -♥ Ruo Xi ♥-
How could you tie something so precious on my foot?
This is nothing compared to your foot.
No one has ever told me I come first...
over expensive goods.
From now on, you'll come first...
over everything.
Go play with Gang Woo at school tomorrow, okay?
Why don't we play hide-and-seek then?
After playing with Gang Woo tomorrow,
come look for me under that zelkova tree.
Mother.
Do Joon.
- Do Joon. - Mother, where are you?
Mother.
Mother, it's still my turn to find you.
Wait for me.
I'll find you by all means.
Do Joon.
Stop being nice to me.
It makes me...
want to stay with you.
What brings you here?
You can stop asking around now.
This is the end.
I came here to tell you that.
I don't need your help anymore.
Are you getting married...
to the Chief State Councillor's son?
You're an information broker. Why would you ask me that?
Nothing in the world makes me wonder,
but you do.
I have to go.
- What are you doing... - Just a second.
Stay like this just for a second.
Today I need your comfort...
more than your sharp words.
Will you be mine?
You sell information at the courtesan house for a living.
What...
can you give me?
I know you're not interested in the civil service examination.
It's not that I'm not interested.
I can't take it.
What is this ache?
Like there's a weight on my chest.
Are you saying...
it was the Chief State Councillor's son, Ma Hoon,
that hid the virtuous woman away?
To be precise, it was the matchmaking group run by him...
called Flower Crew.
Flower Crew?
What an interesting group of people.
I want you to look into them.
Who are these guys that keep acting up?
Will they be on our side or our enemy's side?
Yes.
Father, it's Ji Hwa.
I heard you're busy preparing for the upcoming event.
What's the matter?
I have a favor to ask.
Sure. What is it?
I'd like to meet His Majesty.
What?
I only need to meet him twice.
Why do you need to meet him exactly twice?
The first time is to make a judgment.
The second time is...
to have conviction.
It is not allowed to meet His Majesty personally.
Then I won't participate in the queen selection process.
You have no say in that either.
It is the law.
That's why ways to avoid it have been passed down...
through generations of aristocrats.
Some women get married...
while others become monks to avoid the queen selection process.
Which of the ways...
would make you look better?
Are you threatening me?
Yes, I am.
A woman's life is like a bowl.
Depending on what she puts in her bowl,
her life changes.
I'd like to see what I'm putting...
in my bowl.
Where are you going so early?
The early bird catches the worm.
And the man who gets to the market early...
takes the good products before others.
- Let's go, Tak Soo. - Yes.
Let's go have some fun.
How can he like new products so much?
See you!
Keep watch.
Yes.
10 yang.
Eight yang.
Nine yang.
- Get him! - Get him!
- Get him! - Wait.
- Darn it. - Get him!
- Get him! - Get him!
We're only here to buy things.
- Let go of me! - Come!
I got conned too.
- Be quiet! - Let go of me!
I swear...
Tak Soo!
Do you know who my boss's father is?
He's the Chief State Councillor!
I'll tell on you to him!
I mean it!
I swear I've seen him before.
I got conned too, believe me!
Why did you want to see me in private at this late hour?
I can help end the regency.
What makes you want to help me?
I'm going to ask for something in return, of course.
Do you want your daughter...
to advance to the final stage of the queen selection process?
That would be a great honor,
but that would come down to how my daughter does in the process.
If she can't achieve that much on her own,
she wouldn't deserve to lead the Internal Court.
Then what is it that you want?
I ask you to meet my daughter.
Twice, and no more.
I don't believe it isn't a bad trade-off,
in return for ending the regency.
How will you look after your ill father from now on?
Even a dog earns its keep.
You at least need to earn your keep!
I suppose His Majesty...
has made a new friend.
I knew something was up.
I bet the thing with Hwa Jung's mother...
was also the Second State Councillor's ruse.
Those two are playing us.
It's about time...
we teach His Majesty...
who the real owner of this palace is.
Please spare my life. Please don't kill me.
Spare my life, please.
Uncover her face.
Your Highness. Your Highness.
Please spare my life, Your Highness.
You may begin.
Please spare my life, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
Your Highness! Your Highness...
Please spare my life...
One more.
She might actually die at this rate.
She cannot die.
We have many questions to ask her.
Stop.
What is His Majesty up to every night?
What did he scheme with the Second State Councillor?
No.
What is he plotting? And which minister is helping him?
Tell us everything you know.
I... I do not know anything.
You don't know anything?
Then I shall arrest your parents tomorrow and ask them instead.
You still don't know anything?
My lord.
Your Highness. Your Highness, please...
My lord.
Tell us what you know!
I am sorry,
Your Majesty.
What is this, Your Majesty?
I heard your father is ill.
I asked the Royal Infirmary to make this for you.
Give it to your father on your way home.
You assist me right by my side,
yet I was never attentive to you.
I'm sorry.
I've never been a king before.
Your Majesty.
To tell you the truth...
Your Majesty, Court Lady Lee is...
All right. You can test me now.
Let's do it on the Gwangtonggyo Bridge.
We have to do it now when I have everything memorized!
I'm afraid I'll forget it soon.
It'll show me whether you're competent or not.
By the way, where is Young Soo? I haven't seen Tak Soo either.
Hoon.
Young Soo.
What happened to you?
Don't even get me started.
I went to buy new products but ended up being interrogated.
We'll talk about it later.
We have to go out, so get ready.
Can't you see? I'm a total wreck now.
You make me age fast.
Come to my room in a few minutes.
Gosh, you two give me wrinkles.
Go wash up.
Gosh, that hurts!
Stay still.
Eyebrows are the most important feature on a woman's face.
Why dream of becoming a noble lady if you can't even endure this?
Look up.
Why are you crying?
This is made by crushing pine needle ashes with charred barley.
Your Majesty!
Step aside.
Your Majesty.
Where are you headed,
Your Majesty?
Was it your doing, Chief State Councillor?
You should have stayed out of trouble.
Then...
that dead girl...
would still be alive.
From now on,
these men here will serve you.
And this is your place.
- Chief State Councillor. - Stay put...
and do nothing.
Only then will Gae Ttong's life be spared.
Take good care of His Majesty.
- Yes, my lord. - Yes, my lord.
I know it's my doing, but what a true masterpiece.
(Kang Cheon Ju)
What is this?
This is what you call a type of flirting.
Flirting?
In Joseon, men and women can't even sit together after the age of seven.
Imagine how rare this opportunity must be.
After exchanging glances,
and if they like each other,
they exchange names.
And if you don't like someone,
you can choose someone else.
This is what you call flirting.
I see. Flirting.
You should stop yourself now.
It's not too late.
Why are you looking at her so lovingly?
Don't you know our roles?
The Bridge of Love.
The historic bridge Gyun Woo crossed...
in order to meet his love, Jik Nyeo.
We must not cross that line.
If we go further, it's an abuse of authority.
Hoon.
What's with your face?
You look as if you've been flirting all night.
(I wish for the King's happiness.)
I wish for the King's happiness.
Her wish...
was merely to wish for my happiness?
(I wish for the King's happiness.)
That girl...
didn't get to meet her lover...
whom she promised to meet at Gwangtonggyo Bridge.
Your Majesty.
But now she leaves this palace as a cold dead body.
I should have expected something like this to happen.
I should have protected her.
I...
have failed to protect one of my people yet again.
It's my fault.
It's because...
I passed on information to the Chief State Councillor...
and Court Lady Lee...
I do not deserve to live.
Everything is my fault.
Everything.
You should go.
I will...
stay here, in your place.
- This is nice. - What a great night.
I'll take one of those.
We'll take one.
I've never done anything like this.
Write your wish.
Aren't you going to write anything?
I'm fine.
Then I'll write your wish for you.
How do we float this in the air?
Is there anything you actually know how to do?
I'll do it, so why don't you recite a poem?
What?
You want me to take a test...
under this beautiful moonlight?
Then why don't you recite a poem about...
how beautiful this moonlight is?
Seriously, how could you?
If you don't, I'll count that as a fail.
When all movements stop...
as the night deepens,
How could you tie something so precious on my foot?
This is nothing compared to your foot.
From now on, you'll come first over everything.
the bright moon shines over the empty garden.
Yun Su Yeon.
Become an excellent and lovely lady.
This name...
It's my first time...
receiving a name.
It washes away all the impurities from my mind...
and clearly...
reveals my true love.
You got it wrong again.
Didn't I say it was "My true nature"?
I didn't get it wrong.
I'm telling you, it's wrong.
My feelings are not wrong.
I love you.
I have fallen in love...
with you.
(Please let me reunite with my brother.)
Please let me reunite with my brother.
(Please don't let Matchmaker Ma get married.)
Please don't let...
Matchmaker Ma get married.
(Please let me marry Gae Ttong again.)
Please let me marry...
Gae Ttong again.
(Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency)
I want the royal wedding to take place as soon as possible.
Stone Head, what should I do with you?
I heard you wanted to see me.
I'm Lee Soo.
Is he completely crazy?
He dared to desire the King's fiancee.
I'll have him torn to pieces and have his family exterminated.
You're finally meeting Soo. Why don't you look happy?
As a man who is in love with a woman...
Do you really want me to go?