Why do you look so pale?
You look much older with that long face.
Is something the matter?
I don’t want to learn anymore.
What do you mean?
I don’t want to be a gisaeng.
I’d rather be a slave in the quarters.
I’ll take care of the odd chores.
Your joke isn’t funny.
Go back to your room instead of talking nonsense to me.
Is this not enough?
What is the reason behind this?
Why are you doing this to yourself?
I want to be true to my heart.
You want to be true?
To whom do you want to be faithful to?
I’m sure you know whom I’m talking about.
You’re such a fool.
Are you going to continue this?
What did Eunho tell you?
Did he promise you that he’d live with you forever?
That would never happen.
Whatever you do, he can never be yours to keep.
I don’t expect anything from him.
Jini.
Even if I’m not to marry him, I won’t hate him.
But I want to be true to the feelings I have for him.
I don’t want anyone else take my spirit and body from me.
I value your virtue,
but the world is not such an easy place.
The world will not let you go, regardless of what your intentions are.
Because my face is still attractive?
That’s part of it.
So you won’t have any reason to be against my decision.
I will always be willing to splash boiling water on my face.
Jini.
There are other ways for me to mess up my face.
I’ll live as a slave.
I won’t change my decision.
It’s what I want.
Fine, do as you please.
But under one condition.
You know of the contest that will be held soon.
All the noblemen around will be coming in for the contest.
I won’t be entering the contest.
Eunho will be there.
That’s not true.
He’ll be there if you’re there.
- Ma’am... - Listen to the end.
You’re yet a virgin.
So if you have any suitors, they’d want to spend time with you.
I want you to spend the night with one of your suitors.
Are you asking me to give up my virginity for that single night?
It’s the fate of a gisaeng.
But I told you that I didn’t want to be a gisaeng.
If Eunho is able to take over from there,
I’ll do as you please.
That doesn’t make sense.
If Eunho truly loves you, he’ll try to take over from there.
That’s true love.
Love isn’t something that you can whip up in a second.
You’ve lived 10 years training in the arts.
That’s all that you cared about.
But now you’ve given up all your passion for love.
If Eunho wants to take your love, he should be prepared.
So you want to be a slave?
That’s not such a noble plan.
Why are you being so cowardly?
If you like Eunho that much, take him face on.
If you win the contest, I’ll let you go.
I won’t stop you from being a slave.
I’d do everything on earth for you two if you win the contest.
So go and practice your music.
Yes, you must be the best.
You must let Eunho fight for you.
You must let him do whatever it takes.
You mustn’t ruin his reputation as a nobleman.
It’s all up to you.
How could you let her contest over a person?
How could have told Jini that Eunho must do fight for her?
Don’t say anything.
Nothing is final yet.
Eunho will not agree to it.
No, it’s not something that’s possible.
So all he needs to do is give her up.
Even if Eunho agrees to it, he’d be hurt.
A nobleman is known for his acceptance to the law and trust.
But what you’re asking him to do is give all of that away.
His colleagues won’t allow it.
Eunho would be hurt for sure. It’s the same as wanting to kill him.
We don’t know for sure.
No one knows what the future will bring.
You know that fire is hot without having to jump into it.
Then Jini shouldn’t have brought it on.
Don’t say that.
Those two are truly in love.
I don’t want Jini to end up like you.
Ma’am.
What is it you really want?
Why are you willing to send the two off to such a ruthless battle?
Assurance.
Assurance that the love will not fade.
I think that Jini is sure of what she’s doing.
If she wasn’t, she wouldn’t be acting this way.
I’m not talking about Jini.
I’m talking about Eunho’s assurance.
The men of the noble class can have whatever they want.
If they can get something easily, they can throw it away just as well.
At the present, I’m sure that the two are in love.
But you know how it is between men and women.
Love isn’t all about the good things.
If they were to run away and elope, it would be good for awhile.
But what if things go wrong?
They would hate each other and want to go back to their old lives.
For a nobleman, all he has to do is come back home.
But it’s not the same with Jini.
Love?
Love is a great thing.
But I need to make sure.
I have to make sure that Eunho is willing to give it his all.
Master, is your hand okay?
I’m fine. I just started.
I just don’t understand.
Are you going into farming?
I have no other choice if I want to make a living.
Everyone on earth would laugh.
You have all the riches in the world.
People would laugh if you were to say that you have to make a living.
Deokpal.
It won’t be easy for Jini and me to be acknowledged by the others.
Mother is so stubborn, and I know everyone else will be, too.
Master.
I’ve always believed that a man must take care of his wife and children.
It would be best if I could be a government official and earn a salary.
But I don’t think that will be possible.
So I have no other choice.
I have to learn how to farm.
Do you like Jini that much?
Do you like her that much, to give away your life as a nobleman?
Is Jini all that great?
Why didn’t I know what I was doing?
If I had asked him to stay, I know that he wouldn’t have left.
I don’t know why I miss him so much when I told him to leave.
Where have you been since early morning?
Is something wrong?
You should’ve told me you were going somewhere.
I was all over the place looking for you because of your mom.
I’m sorry.
You know that I don’t expect an apology.
What’s going on?
Is it about Eunho?
Is something wrong?
Jini?
You fool.
Are you going to do as Baekmu tells you to?
Must you?
Jini?
I had wanted to keep him in my heart.
I thought I could bear it.
That’s what I had thought.
I thought I could do that.
But...
Mom...
I think I’m a bad person.
I want to give it a go.
Eunho may end up getting hurt.
I know.
If he gets hurt, so will you.
I know.
But I can’t give him up.
Is it a bad thing to be in love?
Is it a crime to want to be with the one you love?
Must I keep my feelings from him?
Jini.
I want to give Eunho my all.
I want to be confident to the world when it comes to love.
Mom, we’re both very serious.
Can’t you trust us on this one?
If Eunho and I were to work together,
the world may think of us differently.
Then I wouldn’t have to miss him so much,
but our love might be forbidden.
Baby...
Aren’t I allowed to have such desires?
I try to stop myself, but I keep thinking about him.
I can’t throw away my hope because of my desires.
Hey.
What am I going to do, mother?
What am I to do?
My poor baby.
Why are the heavens so mean to you?
How could they do this to you?
It would’ve been nice if you were born to noble parents.
It would’ve been so nice if you were able to choose your own parents.
It’s all my fault.
It’s my fault for being a poor mother.
I’m really sorry.
I’m sorry for everything.
I’m sorry, baby.
You want to send the girls to the mountains for training?
Singing is an important part of the competition, and they need training.
I think the stream will be good to help them sing better.
A really deep voice can be emotional to the heart.
So don’t fool around, and do your best during training.
Okay?
Yes, ma’am.
We’ll be on our way.
Let’s go.
Can you let me meet up with the young man?
Is Jini still not over him?
It seems that way.
You must make her change her mind.
I need to meet him.
I think that’s what I need to do first.
I don’t think anything will change, even if you meet him.
I think you know this already.
I’m not doing this for us to decide.
The thing about love is that...
the love between two people can open up new doors.
I guess you don’t know what I’m talking about.
You don’t know what it’s like to love someone.
So are you saying that if you think that Eunho isn’t truly in love,
you’ll be able to break it off yourself?
I’m sorry to have asked you to come all the way here.
I’m Jini’s mother.
I’m sorry for not meeting you sooner. My name is Eunho.
Please, don’t be cordial to me.
- It’s not right. - But it’s the law...
The law of the noble class may be strict, but you are the mother of my future wife.
It’s just not right.
Wife...
Do you think that you’ll be able to marry Jini?
Jini is a gisaeng.
She’ll be losing her virginity soon.
What did you say?
Did Jini agree to this?
No one can get in the way of the laws of the troupe.
Will you be able to marry her even after she spends the night with someone else?
Do you think your parents will allow it?
Before that happens, I’ll try to persuade my parents.
It won’t be easy.
I know that.
But I’ll persuade them for sure.
I’ll risk my life to persuade them.
They may allow it if you agree to have Jini as your concubine.
No, I can’t do that.
I’ve never thought of her that way.
I want her to be my lawful wife and part of my family.
Even if your parents agree to it,
the world won’t be so kind.
I’m going to fight.
If I must fight against the authority and the law, I’ll do whatever it takes.
Can you really do that?
Can you give your word?
What is my promise worth at this point?
All I can say that is I want to put my words into action.
I know it may be rude, but I’m blind, so please bear with me.
I think you have a good heart.
Thank you.
I don’t know what to say for being so nice to my child.
I should be the one thanking you.
You gave birth to such a great woman.
Why are you being so restless when you don’t have enough time to practice?
Am I to understand that you’ll be competing in the contest?
Yes, ma’am.
Great.
You must not meet Eunho from today on.
Even if you were to meet him, you mustn’t tell him about the contest.
Can you do this?
Yes, I will.
You must try to impress everyone.
Since your love is on the line, show off your talents to everyone.
Try to convince the world by impressing them.
If you’re to be successful, you’ll be able to earn your love.
But if you’re not successful,
you must not be reluctant to give it up.
You must live your life as a gisaeng.
Can you promise me this?
Why aren’t you answering me?
Yes, I will.
Fine.
This isn’t a promise to me, but a promise to yourself.
A person who doesn’t execute his or her promise to themselves is a low life.
Don’t disappoint men.
A contest? What is this all about?
It’s nothing much.
Just concentrate on training the girls.
Did Jini get into some trouble with Eunho?
Am I right, ma’am?
I told you not to talk nonsense.
I’m really upset with you.
I really am, ma’am.
I’m responsible for all the training.
The girls aren’t my own children, but they mean the world to me.
I never told you otherwise.
So why are you hiding this from me?
I’m supposed to know what all the girls are thinking and doing.
I think I have a right to know even when others don’t.
Did you hear?
Great things are happening to him.
Have some tea.
I’ll be on my way.
You should stay for some tea.
Aside from the wedding,
we should congratulate him on his promotion.
Congratulations are in order.
No, it’s too early for that.
I haven’t been officially transferred yet.
I intend to hold a very big ball.
I guess it will end up being a farewell party for you.
A farewell party? That’s not right.
If I go to the capital, do you think I’m going to forget about you?
I know the hard work you’ve been doing more than anyone else.
I think it’s time for you as well to move to the capital.
I don’t know.
I’ll do my best once I’m in the capital.
I know that I should do that much, since we’ll be in-laws now.
Thank you.
So, let’s just call it a congratulatory ball.
Really?
Yes.
Do you want to go shoot arrows?
No, I have to go now. I have something to do at home.
Why are you so busy?
Why are you being so rude?
You’re supposed to be a nobleman and look how you’re treating Eunho.
You stay out of it.
Hey, you!
What are you going to do?
Are you going to ask that gisaeng to marry you?
Marry whom?
Eunho!
Don’t make my sister cry anymore.
I won’t allow it.
Eunho, what’s going on?
What have you been up to?
Hey, Eunho!
Hello.
Why are you alone?
Jini isn’t here.
She went far away for some special training.
Really?
When is she coming back?
I don’t know that.
Let me know when she returns.
I have something to tell her.
I can’t do that.
What do you mean?
She won’t be able to meet Eunho until she spends her first night with someone.
What did you say?
Are you out of your mind?
How could she do that when Eunho’s around?
How should I know that?
Who else would know?
It’s customary for a gisaeng to refrain from going out before the big day.
I can’t do anything about the law.
Did she leave a message for me?
A dance is like a prose using your bodies.
So you must be able to be very expressive.
You must know how to express yourself with just your bodies.
A great dancer can move the audience with a single hand gesture.
A great dancer can be a little boy trying to catch a butterfly.
Other times, she can be a boatsman rowing against the rough seas.
Step atop the log and hold onto the wooden bar.
Kick the log.
What?
Why aren’t you kicking it?
- Ma’am. - Our arms will fall off.
Aren’t you going to do as I ask?
Look here, Keumchoon.
Yes, ma’am.
Loosen up your arms.
All the gisaengs were hung upside down?
Is this true?
Yes, it is.
I don’t know what’s going on.
It’s not like the girls are laundry.
Why are you laughing?
Does it seem funny to you?
Ma’am.
Is she really going to have the girls perform the crane dance?
Why do you look so worried?
We have performed the crane dance hundreds of times ourselves.
But the dance we performed is different from the one Baekmu knows.
What do you mean?
Once there was a dancer by the name of Ja Dongsun.
She was praised as a dancer, being a rare breed.
She was also the teacher for me and Baekmu.
My teacher was the one that made the crane dance.
It’s a mystical dance that no one has ever seen before.
It will be impossible to distinguish the person from a crane.
It’s hard to see where the feet of the dancer are.
It may look like the dancer is dancing on the air.
The dance expresses the human body as being a temporary being on earth.
Everything about the dance resembles the crane.
The dancer rises into the air, again and again.
It’s a very beautiful dance.
No other dance can compare to it.
Has anyone jotted down the steps to the dance?
Yes.
So give the notes to me.
I’ll practice day and night.
The notes that were written about the dance disappeared when my teacher died.
I’m sure there’re somewhere.
Baekmu is the one who has it memorized.
My teacher taught it to only Baekmu just before she died.
If I’m right and Baekmu dances the crane dance,
all the government officials and even the king himself will be amazed.
Are you saying we’ll lose the contest?
That’s not true.
Ma’am.
We must do everything to prevent Baekmu from winning.
This place has scenic sights.
Good.
I’m sure we have all the government officials gathered.
Without a doubt.
I didn’t think you would be here yourself.
Are you saying that I don’t belong here?
Not at all.
I heard about it from Mr. Byeok.
I heard that your girls were having a big party,
and I didn’t want to be left out.
Maehyang,
I see that you have invited all the high government offcials.
Your contacts can fill up all of the Han River.
You’re being too kind.
I guess you’re very concerned about the contest against Baekmu.
I see that you have arrived already.
What do you think?
They’re pretty good.
It’s an honor to hear that.
If you see anyone you like, just let me know.
I’ll have them serve you properly.
Mr. Byeok, you’re known to have a keen eyefor beauty,
but your comment was too short.
Can you elaborate on the dance tonight?
So that the girls will know what they did right and what they did wrong.
It’ll help them dancer better.
I don’t know.
Maehyang, at the next ball, why don’t you get yourself another boat.
It was the most conspicuous part of the performance tonight.
I’ve seen many boats in my lifetime,
but nothing as spectacular as tonight.
That’s why I think you need more boats.
A dance is but just a dance.
This is because the dance routines are always the same.
Let’s wait until the dance contest.
You never know.
We may be pleasantly surprised.
Wave.
Bow.
Turn.
Bow and dance.
Why are you trying to copy someone else’s dance?
You should be gentle with your moves.
That’s enough practicing for now.
I had the bathtub filled with water for you to bathe in.
Go and soak your body.
The day you give yourself away isn’t far away.
I don’t want to be too concerned with that.
Are you saying you don’t want to get ready for the big day?
I would like to concentrate more on the contest.
Go and soak your body in water.
Mr. Byeok is the most powerful man in this part of town.
I don’t want to be manipulative.
I want to win on my own.
You stupid fool.
You don’t know anything about getting ahead.
There isn’t a single standard to critique the arts.
If there were, Baekmu would’ve taken my job long ago.
You have to make a powerful man fall for you.
And then you can dance.
Ma’am.
Don’t forget that ony those who survive will be called the winner.
This is how it’s done in the world.
Make your body parallel to the earth.
Release your energy and feel yourself becoming like the air and the wind.
Lean against the air.
Straighten out your arms and strech out high.
Don’t forget that only those who survive will be called the winner.
This is how it’s done in the world.
Have you been teaching Jini up until now?
I had no choice since she was the only one left in the training grounds.
What if she wins the contest?
Do you think you can handle her winning and giving everything up?
I have no other choice.
A promise is a promise.
If she is to win the contest, I’m going to let her go.
You spent 10 years raising and teaching Jini.
And you’re still willing to give her up?
If she wants to love someone without shame,
nothing can stop her.
But do you think it’s plausible?
Just wait and see.
If she wins her love, that’s good.
But if she doesn’t, it’s even better.
What do you mean?
I’m worried that she’ll end up losing.
If Jini doesn’t win the contest, don’t you think she’ll be depressed?
It’ll be like a million needles faling from the sky into her heart.
We shouldn’t have made a deal like this in the first place.
What if she ends up like her mom?
Don’t say that.
She was born with a gift.
Artistic talent grows and prospers with sadness.
We may have a real winner on our hands.
You’ll be competing in the contest?
- How’d you know? - How else.
Don’t tell anyone else about it.
What’s this about love?
Love doesn’t feed you or give you nice clothes.
It won’t help you get any better in dancing, either.
Can you live without all of that?
Are you sure about that?
Yes.
Are you crazy? Are you stupid?
I guess so.
Aren’t you tired?
Don’t worry about me.
Your mother wants you to stop by your place.
Did you go see my mom again?
Why do you keep visiting my mother?
Don’t ever go there again.
Once I’m a full-fledged gisaeng, my family will be better off.
I’m going to have a mansion of a home and live like a queen.
Okay.
but go home later.
Your mother is very sick.
You are the only one I can trust now.
When I took you from your destitute family,
I knew you’d make it far.
Don’t disappoint me.
With your beauty and talents, I’ll be able to be powerful for 10 more years.
Don’t you agree?
Make her the prettiest girl in the nation.
She must be made up to be the prettiest of them all.
Ony then can she be good enough for the most prominent men in the country.
I guess I will have to pay a high price for this dance.
I’m glad I haven’t disappointed you.
Would you be satisfied with the house in northern country?
I think you can do better than that.
I can?
What about the country house and the mansion?
I don’t want that, either.
What else?
I don’t need anything.
Just let me win the contest.
Let you win the contest?
Yes.
I know it’s something easier for you to give me than a mansion.
I don’t think you’re the right one for me.
Sir.
If you’re a gisaeng, you should act like one.
How dare you crave for power?
I can be lenient on a gisaeng who wants money,
but not one who craves power.
Practice hard.
You mustn’t let Eunho be criticized for throwing everything away for you.
It’s all up to you.
When is dad coming back home?
I heard he’s going to be late.
When is the ball with all the girls?
Master.
I think I should give up getting permission from my parents.
What are you doing here?
I have come to hand in my petition.
What do you mean?
It’s impossible.
That’s not up to you to decide.
Please, give it to your boss.
No, it just doesn’t make sense.
I'm going to keep this to myself.
Please, tell your boss.
No, I just can’t do it.
Fine then.
I’ll go talk to him myself.
What is this?
Are you out of your mind?
I want to get married with Jini of the Songdo troupe.
It’s against the law to marry someone from a lower class.
What is the law to say about true love?
If the law prevents true love, it’s wrong to begin with.
What?
How dare you talk about the law in that manner?
Do you think you’ll get away with it?
Laws are supposed to make lives easier for people, not oppress them.
I’m going to get married.
If I must fight the law in the process,
I shall.
Why, you!
Do you want me to kill that gisaeng?
Will that make you come to your senses?
Even the king will be punished for killing an innocent soul.
But if you really want to kill her, you shall kill me first.
What?