[Episode 8]
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?
Jini is as good as dead already.
How could you allow this to happen because of your fellow pupil?
I’ll do everything to handle the situation.
How are you going to handle it?
You’re just so incompetent.
Do you like Jini that much?
Enough to risk your own life?
Yes.
Fine.
I’ll let you have her.
Sir.
I’ll have everything ready for you at the troupe’s quarters.
You can spend the night with her. She can be yours.
If you really want to, you can love her all you want.
But you must marry Gaeun instead.
That’s how it’s done in this world.
No. I can’t do that, sir.
Hey, Eunho.
If that was how it was going to be, I wouldn’t have handed in the petition.
You don’t know anything about life yet.
A woman can’t take up all of a man’s life.
Men aren’t born to think that way.
But that’s how I feel.
Stop talking nonsense, and do as I tell you to.
There’s only one person who can be my wife.
Is my daughter not good enough for you?
I already know that she’s a nice person.
So?
But I don’t feel anything special towards her.
I can’t give my love to anyone other than Jini.
But you know that a marriage without love can be very lonely.
I know that this is something very difficult to ask of you.
Please, don’t regard me as your potential son-in-law but as a common citizen.
I have learned that it is the duty of an official to acknowledge such hardships.
I hope you don’t prove me otherwise.
It’ll only take a second.
I told you I can’t see him.
I’ll make sure that no one catches us.
You’re so stubborn.
Don’t be too sad.
She can be quite uptight.
You know how stubborn she can get.
Do you a message you want to give her?
Tell me and I will deliver your words to her.
All I want to do is hold her hand.
If I hold her hand, I think that I will be able to endure all pain.
If the truth is on our side, I will be with her for sure.
And she will be able to come to my side as well.
I would also like to tell her to not lose hope and have courage.
What are you doing?
Don’t get involved.
Don’t get involved?
Do you expect me to pretend nothing is going on when you’re taking my pupil?
The government official told me that I could kill anyone who gets in the way.
What?
So step aside.
Fine, kill me.
What are you doing? Kill me!
Ma’am.
If you can’t kill me, give Jini back to me.
After I meet up with the official and if Jini is guilty of a crime,
I’ll hand her over myself.
It wasn’t you that I was expecting to see.
I heard you were trying to sabotage Jini’s career?
Don’t concern yourself with it.
What’s going to happen?
If Jini isn’t able to perform anymore, you will be greatly jeopardized.
What do you mean by that?
I know that Eunho’s father helped you when you were on the verge of getting fired.
And it was he who helped you get the promotion for your current job.
You would have to say that Eunho’s father is quite a powerful supporter.
How do you know this?
I can’t be in charge of the local troupe without knowing the politics.
My position at the troupe is not something to take lightly of.
You wench.
If you were to harm Jini in any way,
Eunho would never end up marrying your daughter.
How could you be sure of this?
You know how the young can be so foolish.
Young people are be able to risk their lives in the name of love.
Sir, if you were to let the love birds be,
their love will last for a few months at most.
Love whither when it is left alone to the individuals.
However,
if one were to die and the love were to discontinue,
the love could last for hundreds, no, thousands of years.
What if Eunho commits suicide after finding out what has happened?
If that’s not the case,
what if he becomes an invalid after grieving too much?
If Eunho’s father finds out about this, he will never look out for you ever again.
Who in the world would help out someone who was responsible for his son’s sorrows?
What else am I supposed to do?
How am I supposed to break off their relationship?
Do you have a good solution to all this?
I think I do.
Are you telling me that you’re still in a daze?
The world can be a difficult place.
This is only the beginning.
It’s not too late.
If you’re not confident, you should cut it off yourself.
Do you think the girls will be able perform the crane dance
when class participation is so low?
I have no intention of allowing the girls to perform the dance.
It’s a dance that I’ve been practicing for years and I have yet to master.
The girls still have a long way to go.
What do you mean?
This practice will help the girls when they dance the other moves.
They will be light on their feet.
It’ll help Jini with her concentration.
Just look at her now.
Does she look like someone in love?
She looks like someone who is eager to learn new dance moves.
Don’t you agree?
Jini may be able to live without love.
But she can’t live without the arts.
She just doesn’t know it yet.
Why’d you have to come all the way to the capital over this?
Why are you so upset over some low class girl?
He’s just having fun with the girl.
After all, Eunho’s no longer at the age where he’s playing with marbles.
You’re wrong.
I know Eunho better than anyone else.
He’s not going to give up easily.
That’s why he visited Mr. Jung and asked for permission to marry Jini.
What?
What did you say Eunho did?
It’s not just a simple phase he’s going through.
Eunho will do everything to realize what he wants.
We have to stop him before it gets out of control.
Even if it means going all out.
Going all out?
You have to tell Eunho yourself of how dangerous Jini really is.
How long has it been?
I think it’s been three years since I was here last with my mother.
How could you be so indifferent?
You should come see me at least once a year.
I’m sorry.
What are you doing here? What do I owe the honor to?
I’ve come to bow three thousands times.
Really?
Why, all of a sudden?
You’ve met your mother and now you’re learning the arts.
What is it you still want?
I guess I lack in faith.
Will I be able to keep this love alive?
How is it?
Do you think my liver illness will get better with this mere medicine?
Once you’re sold off to the highest bidder,
maybe the most expensive medicine will help.
Where did you hear about the bid?
Who else? I heard it from Jang.
Why does he keep coming over?
It’s not like I’m grateful to him.
How could you say that?
He helped us out almost everyday for 3 whole years.
Even a birth son wouldn’t be more dedicated.
Be quiet.
He’s just trying to make you his.
How dare he try to do that when he’s just a mere slave?
He should know that with a face like yours, the very high ranking officials want you.
Stop it. Stop it already!
Why are you getting mad at me?
Do you know how old the high ranking officials are?
They are at least forty-years-old. Fifty even.
Doesn’t that bug you at all?
Don’t you feel bad to have your daughter be with some old man?
I don’t feel bad at all.
It makes me rather happy.
Can’t you see the life I’m living?
You have to be stern.
Don’t give your love to a stupid fellow and go after only the rich guys.
That’s the only way you’ll have a better life, and your siblings will be better off as well.
It’s so quiet here with the girls away.
I don’t know if it was a good idea to have the girls go home for a few days.
You know how some girls end up running away,
just because they’re afraid of their big day?
How could you be saying that when you’ve been teaching the girls so long?
I’m just saying.
So why are you getting worried over nothing?
Where’s Jini?
She’s still in the temple.
Ma’am, do you think that Jini is up to no good?
What if she runs away?
If you don’t have an official name yet, why don’t you call yourself, “Bright Moon?”
Bright Moon?
It’s not going to be easy to live the life of a gisaeng.
But even if things get tough,
don’t be too sensitive to it.
I hope that you will live like the moon that changes its shape all the time.
I hope that your artistis talents can console the underprivileged like the moonlight.
Do you think you can do that?
I’ve given it much thought but I don’t think it’s something I can decide alone.
No nobleman in the last 200 years has gone against the law by marrying a gisaeng.
So that is why I can’t make this decision on my own.
It’s only possible if I get permission from the king.
So please deliver the petition to the central government.
I was actually thinking about that.
But in order to do that, there is something that must be done first.
You must convince your father.
Sir.
I’m talking about the central government here.
It’s bound to cause a commotion.
Even if you’re not able to convince your father,
he should know what’s going on.
As a father myself, I wouldn’t want to know of my child’s actions from someone else.
Show the petition to your father first.
I’m sure he’ll have something to say after he sees it.
If you do this,
I’ll try my best to prevent Jini from entering the contest.
This is the best that I can do.
Sir.
When did you say the festival and bidding are going to be held?
Don’t worry. It’s five days away.
You’ll have two days left over even after seeing your father in the capital.
I guess so.
I don’t know how I’m going to convince father.
You want the ball to be held tomorrow?
Didn’t you send Eunho to the capital?
Yes, I did.
So you want the ball to be held without him?
I don’t think that’s a good idea. You should be direct with him instead.
I know what I’m doing.
I have something in mind, so please don’t be concerned about this matter.
What are you doing in the capital, master?
I’m here to see my father. Is he at home?
He’s gone to see his friend.
Come inside. I’m sure he’ll be back soon.
Why aren’t you in training?
Ma’am.
Don’t you know that you won’t be able to compete in the contest as a virgin?
Do you want another chance?
Make her a hundred more times beautiful than last time.
It’s your last chance.
If you’re refused by your suitor once more,
you’ll no longer be part of my troupe.
Why are you so focused on practicing when you’re going to give it up anyway?
Are you still sticking to your plan?
Do you still trust Eunho?
Yeah.
Do you think can win this?
I want to win.
And then? What happens next?
I don’t know.
You might not know, but I do.
You’ll be exchanging your silk dress for rags.
You’ll look like a hag soon.
That’s not all. You’ll be doing odd jobs.
That’s all of it.
That’s what your love is going to be like.
Are you really going to throw it all way for him?
You’ll throw away the high life of a gisaeng just because of Eunho?
Stop it.
Stop it, Sumsum.
What’s wrong with you?
You know that I’m saying this because if feel sorry for you.
Living a life without meaning is even more sorry.
I don’t think about what’ll happen next, whether it’ll be good or bad.
But I’m going to be true to my feelings that I have toward Eunho right now.
I thought you were a hot shot.
I thought you were the most talented girl in all this world.
But I was wrong.
You’re the biggest fool on earth.
I won’t be like you.
I can’t do what you’re doing. I can’t live like that.
I can’t throw away my life just like that.
Hey.
It’s no use going over to my place and trying to be good to my family.
There’s nothing you can do to win me over.
I know.
Please, don’t talk to me from now on.
I get sick when I see you.
Fine.
Take this.
What for?
I heard you were entering the contest for the first time.
Wear it.
I always felt bad about your old ribbon.
Do you know what I’ll be doing with this ribbon?
I’m going to untie it for another guy to see. Don’t you know that?
I do.
So?
This is the only thing I can do for you.
I just wanted you to have it.
I don’t need it.
Sumsum...
It’s so old fashioned.
If I wear this, people will think I’m out of style. I don’t want it.
Sumsum, aren’t you going to sell your beauty products today?
I’m brushing my hair.
Hey Parrot, would you like to give us a facial?
I’m busy, too.
Are you trying to look pretty? Is that right?
Of course, I look pretty. What’s there to ask?
Oh, brother.
You don’t look pretty at all.
You look like you’ve tasted a rotten egg.
If you want to see a pretty expression, just look at Sumsum.
She looks really pretty today.
In a way, she looks sad.
I think she’ll be the only one who’ll be getting the red ribbon.
Red ribbon?
I’m talking about the red ribbon that only an high ranking official can give you.
I may not seem like much now,
but I was given this ribbon by a high ranking official.
That’s what happened to me.
I’m going to get a red ribbon, too.
How?
Are you very talented or very pretty?
You have to have a very special talent.
Parrot.
What is it?
Can I have some of your oil?
I’ve used mine up already.
Just use water instead.
Just give me some. It doesn’t cost a lot, does it?
Why are you getting mad all of a sudden?
Have you gotten all stuck up because everyone’s complimenting you?
You know that’s not the case.
I can’t let you use it.
You have such a temper.
You look even uglier than you usually do.
Here, you can use mine.
Are you Booyong?
I can’t believe the luck I’m having.
I’m so lucky to be with the prettiest girl in the nation.
Come. Come to me now.
What’s going on?
Do you expect me to allow myself to someone like him?
Have you been direct expressing yourself to a man again?
I heard you asked Mr. Byeok to have you win the contest.
Do you want to be powerful?
Do you want to have me stabbed to death?
That’s not what I was going to do.
I don’t care what you say.
Thanks to you, my troupe is in shambles.
This is such a petty punishment compared to what you did.
Go back inside.
Ma’ma, I beg you.
Do you want to be kicked out of the troupe?
Do you want me to send you back to your destitute family?
Why aren’t you answering me?
I don’t want that.
So shut up and go back inside.
Go.
You must start from the rock bottom.
I’m going to have you go deep into the sewers and ditches.
Only when you’re able to smile like a flower in such circumstances,
you can be called a true gisaeng.
Don’t forget that your alias is “Booyong.”
Don’t forget that your name depicts the lotus flower that blooms in the sewer.
Finally, tomorrow’s the day you’ll be losing your virginity.
For a gisaeng, her virginity is like a new pair of shoes.
They stay clean if you don’t wear them. But you can’t call them shoes then.
If you wear them all the time, they won’t be new anymore.
So it’s not always such a good thing.
I thought it was only a matter of time before we would be rich.
If we didn’t have something to live for, it would be a very sad life for us.
That’s why some girls cry before their first big night.
Cry?
Yes, listen carefully. You’ll hear people crying.
The girls are sorry that they must live the life of a gisaeng.
You can hear them crying in the corridors and hallways,
in the courtyard and the bedrooms.
You can hear it all about the house.
It may actually be ghosts that were once gisaengs.
I can understand that.
I know it.
The first night a woman spends with a man is usally on her wedding night.
But for a gisaeng, it’s a beginning of a totally new life.
It’s when the gisaeng becomes the mistress of all the men out there.
It’s when it’s announced that everyone can have the women of his choice.
I can hear it.
Hear what?
What else? I can hear someone crying.
You’re so gullible.
I can’t believe you believed us.
Did you hear it?
Is it really a ghost?
Go and check it out.
Hurry.
No, I can’t.
Why are the lights on at this hour?
What is it?
Why don’t you go take a look? Go ahead.
Jini.
Let’s call the other girls.
Go forward.
Sumsum!
Sumsum.
Wake up.
Open your eyes, Sumsum!
Open your eyes!
Sumsum, open your eyes! You fool!
Open your eyes.
Sumsum! Sumsum!
Oh, Sumsum.
Sumsum, get up.
Open your eyes!
Sumsum...
Throw her out.
Ma’am.
She was never supposed to make it this far.
She was never any good.
Ma’am.
how could you say that?
This is Sumsum you’re talking about.
Keumchoon, what are you doing?
Go throw her out and send the girls to their rooms.
The ball is tomorrow.
Everyone must be calm for the ball tomorrow.
But, ma’am...
How can your think about the ball right now?
Is the ball all you care about?
A gisaeng must attend a ball, even if her parents have died.
I can’t do that.
I won’t send her like this!
She won’t come back to life, whatever you try to do.
Keumchoon, call the workers.
And throw her out.
Throw her out.
Throw whom out?
What’s wrong with her?
Why is she like this?
Sumsum.
Are you sleeping?
Why are you sleeping here?
You should go to your room to sleep.
Sumsum!
I feel so sorry for Sumsum.
Oh, Sumsum...
Parrot, you can have all the cleansing water that I have kept with me.
That wench.
I don’t need it anymore. You stupid girl!
Jini, do you now what?
I was most jealous of you, the most foolish of us all.
I wish I could be as brave as you.
But I didn’t have enough courage.
That’s why I was never able to face my love straight on.
Jang...
Jang, I’ve never called out for you in a sweet manner.
Actually, in my heart, I had called you in the nicest way.
I don’t now why I never called out for you out loud.
Jang...
Actually I really like the ribbon you gave me.
I’m so lucky that I can take this ribbon with me for what it’s worth.
Jang, If there is another world...
I hope you won't be born a slave again.
And I hope that I won’t be born of the lower class.
If we are to meet again, I’ll be your girl forever.
And you can be my man forever.
What are you doing here? Are you hungry, too?
Come over here.
Bring another spoon with you.
What a terrible girl.
I guess we can’t blame her.
It’s not just a few girls that had committed suicide.
My best friend had taken her own life.
I don’t know how this house can take all this misery.
Eat up.
Aren’t you going to eat?
She wanted some oil, but I didn’t give her any of mine.
It wasn’t because I hated her.
I was just angry at the time.
And I was jealous of her beauty.
Will we never see Sumsum again?
Is that how it’s going to be?
Please, do something.
Parrot...
If she were to be alive again,
I’d give her my precious shoes.
Did that belong to Sumsum?
Yes, she treasured it with all her life.
Sir.
What is love?
What is it?
I wish that both Sumsum and I had known nothing about love.
Are you afraid?
Are you afraid you’ll lose your love?
Don’t lose it.
And don’t back off.
If the world is against you, fight it.
Endure the pain with all your might.
When the pain and troubles are gone...
Love will appear once more.
Are you saying that father has gone back to Kaesong?
Yes, we sent a messenger to his house because he was so late.
But he has left because of a ball in town.
What did you just say?
Did you just mention a ball?
Yes, it’s the ball that the government official is opening.
I think it’s your dad’s farewell party.
How could that be?
These girls are still inexperienced.
They have done all they can to learn the arts, but they are still beginners.
But if you have a liking to any of them,
please be the first to teach them.
All the girls will be very honored if you do so.
How dare you barge in like this without being announced?
Who taught you such manners?
Where is father?
He’s at the ball.
The ball?
Yes, I think he wants you to be present.
Goodness.
You’re too kind.
I didn’t know Eunho was here because of all the beautiful girls.
Come this way.
No, just go sit in the corner.
But, sir...
He’s still too young.
Just let him sit in the corner. Don’t you agree, Eunho?
Yes, father.
There are some really beautiful girls here today.
I think some can compare to the likes of Venus.
You’re too kind.
No.
I agree with what Mr. Huh is saying.
I think I’m about to go blind.
I hope that none of the guys will fight over a single girl.
I have come prepared just in case something like that happens.
You have?
Bring it in.
Aren’t those swords?
Yes, sir.
Why would we need swords at the ball?
If there is an argument over a single girl,
we should let the winner of the sword fight choose the woman of his choice.
Who do you think we are?
How could us noblemen fight over a woman with swords?
Isn’t this what balls are all about?
If a man is brave enough, he should be bold as to take over the sword.
Don’t you think it sounds interesting?
It sounds like fun. Don’t you agree?
What’s next?
Show us another performance.
If we are to fight over the girls, we must see what they have to offer.
Of course.
Next up is a geomungo performance.
Did you say a gisaeng will perform the geomungo?
Yes, sir.
My name is Hwang Jini.
You are very talented.
You’re too kind, sir.
Bring the wine.
I want to compliment her by pouring her some wine.
Wine? That’s not much of a compliment.
You should spend the night with her.
That’s right.
What do you say?
Is that what you want?
I’ll spend the night with you.
And I’ll compensate you a great deal.
No!
No, father!