[Episode 12]
I guess you’re no different than all the other girls.
Are you worried that I won’t compensate you enough for tonight?
Don’t worry.
I’ll reward you a great deal.
I’ll compensate you for tonight.
What?
I’ll buy you out for spending the night with me.
$100.
I think that ought to be enough to loosen your hat.
And now for your belt.
For $200, you must take off your top.
Don’t you agree?
Stop.
Don’t you think you’re going overboard?
I can’t believe you can look right through me.
I was going to call it quits anyway.
I don’t have any money left.
I’ll be going on my way.
Wait.
Why are you stopping me?
Are you going to sell yourself for so cheap at $400 total?
Why did you prevent me from attending the important ball?
Are you getting back at me because I took measures to keep you from going?
Mr. Kim is an important client.
Those guys don’t even have an ear for music.
What’s the big deal about not performing for such ignorant people?
The fact that they aren’t of high class doesn’t mean that they don’t enjoy music.
What?
You must always remember this.
There are things that even money and power cannot buy.
What are you doing here at this hour?
I’ve prepared a nice dinner for you because you seemed tired.
Come to my room and rest for a while.
No, I was about to leave.
You should go and get some rest, too.
Hey.
Kim Junghan!
What’s gotten into you?
I must come to my senses.
Hey.
I’ve heard that you’ve spent more time on the streets than in a home.
You’ve traveled all corners of the Joseon kingdom.
I am jealous of you.
You know what?
I’m sick of living.
You surprised me.
I thought you weren’t interested in men.
But you’ve asked to spend the night with Mr. Byeok?
Not all men are the same.
Are you unsatisfied with competing against me?
Must you bring Mr. Byeok into this?
There’s no reason for me not to.
Of course not.
The knife dance will be performed three months from now.
The minister, Mr. Byeok,
and I will evaluate the dance with government officials.
If Myeongwol’s dance is truly excellent,
as promised, Baekmu will be fired from her post.
But sir,
what if Myeongwol’s dance doesn’t turn out to be as expected?
Don’t worry.
But, life is full of surprises.
One must be prepared for such surprises.
Don’t you think so?
You’re revealing how you really feel.
Are you trying to say you want my post if we lose?
Why not?
I agree with Baekmu as well.
If the dance that you have taught is lacking, we can’t record it in the annals.
Your qualifications as a teacher will be in question.
And I would have no choice but to replace you as the troupe leader.
Don’t you agree?
And one other thing, sir.
If my competitors are to lose competition...
Yes, go ahead.
I ask that Myeongwol be made into a slave.
A slave?
The virtue of loyalty isn’t limited to only the noblemen.
I have taught Myeongwol for 10 years, but without a single word,
she went off to another teacher.
We must correct her misbehavior.
Only then will the troupe be in good order.
Yes, what you’re saying is right.
What do you say, Myeongwol?
It’s still not too late.
If you forget about the contest and return to your teacher,
I’ll forget about everything.
No.
I’ll take on the challenge.
If you lose, you’ll become a slave.
Will you accept that?
Yes, I will.
How are you, sir?
Did you have a comfortable evening?
Without a doubt.
Look here, Myeongwol.
I owe you a great deal for last night.
What’s the best way for me to pay you back?
What do you mean by that, sir?
If I asked Junghan to forget about the stupid contest,
and have you made the palace troupe leader, will it be rewarding enough?
That’s not for me to decide.
Goodness.
You’re the top minister of Joseon.
What are you going to do with all that power?
I’m not saying this because I am especially fond of Myeongwol.
Myeongwol is the best artist in Joseon...
I refuse to become the top troupe leader by using the minister’s influence.
Why are you being so rude by not accepting my offer?
I’ll take your kind thoughts into consideration.
But the top post must be awarded to the best artist.
I want to be recognized for my own skills.
Goodness.
Her temper is quite something.
Don’t you think, sir?
I hope that she’s as talented as her temper.
I look forward to it.
I must be on my way now, for I am very busy.
What’s wrong with her personality?
I guess her personality is what makes her even more attractive.
The more I know about her, the more I want her.
Please, don’t forget your dignity.
You shouldn’t be talking so openly about your feelings.
You wench.
Are you making fun of me now?
How is that possible?
Tell me you’ll quit the contest.
Jini, answer me, right now.
I must go train right now.
I’m telling you to quit.
Do you want to live as a slave?
Are you going to make me deal with that?
If I win over Baekmu,
I’ll become the top troupe leader.
What’s so great about that?
What do you need all that power for?
I want to play with the king’s heart.
I used to be treated worse than an animal.
If I’m able to win the king’s heart,
I’m curious as to see how the cruel noblemen will respond.
I’m really curious.
Look at yourself.
Do you see what you look like?
What’s wrong with your face?
Look at your face.
You’re full of vehemence and nothing else.
Mother.
What do you think Eunho would say if he saw you like this?
Don’t talk about the dead.
What was your reason for not wanting to dance all these years?
Was it to get back at Baekmu?
Stop it.
That wasn’t it.
You know that wasn’t it.
Eunho liked your dance the most.
He didn’t want you to dance in front of other people.
So how could you use that dance to step on other people?
Stop this.
Eunho wouldn’t have liked it.
Eunho wouldn’t want you to torture yourself in order to take other people down.
I have no choice now.
The arrow has been shot already, mother.
Can’t you refrain from dancing?
Is my dancing all that bad?
It’s not that.
It’s just that it’s too beautiful.
Are you going to let Myeongwol take you down?
I’m going to make her into a slave.
What’s wrong with you?
I know a problem when I see one.
Three months is too short for Myeongwol to learn a dance routine.
After all, she hasn’t danced at all in the last 5 years.
Three months isn’t enough time to get back into form,
let alone dance well.
Wouldn’t you agree?
And I know you want to find a way out of this situation.
You must be planning to agitate Myeongwol so that she can get fired up.
This is because you want her to dance again.
Isn’t that right?
You don’t know anything.
Determination and a hot temper may be useful for a gisaeng,
but it can also be detrimental.
You must move quickly and turn softly to get back on your feet.
Light steps are the key to this dance.
Turning about is fine, but you must never rip the paper.
You may begin.
Again.
She’s so unreasonable.
She had acted like a snob, but look at her now.
She was being too confident about her talents.
I don’t think we need to see anymore.
Let’s go.
Her dance skills are worthless?
It’s true that her dance falters in comparison to her poetry and music.
At least we know that life is fair.
If she were to be talented in all fields of the arts, it wouldn’t be fair.
Don’t you agree?
I guess so.
Did she say anything else?
You said that she didn’t even bring up last night to you either.
I guess we can’t believe everything she says or doesn’t say.
I don’t think you need to worry.
She’s days away from becoming a slave.
She doesn’t have the time to spread gossip.
We must find a way to make sure she keeps quiet for good.
If other people found out that she paid me money that night, it would be a disgrace.
I’m telling you, that would never happen.
I don’t want anyone to find out.
I understand, but...
Stop.
Do we need to continue this?
Of course.
She doesn’t even know the basic steps.
It’s impossible for she to learn this dance in 3 months.
Stop talking nonsense, and concentrate on practicing.
No.
Booyong.
We don’t have time to waste by assisting Myeongwol with such trivial steps.
But don’t you know that she must know the steps if she's to dance amongst you?
Tell her to master the basic steps first.
We don’t have the time or will to dance with someone less experienced than a newbie.
Sir.
Yes?
Oh.
I’m sorry about that. Where were we?
You haven’t written down half of the music yet.
I’m sorry.
Can you play it again?
Do you know how many times it’s been?
I don’t think my voice will be able to withstand such a strenuous workout.
I’m sorry.
It’s hard for me to concentrate today.
- Let’s resume another day. - You’re putting it off, again?
Again.
I think I’ve chosen the wrong person.
How do you expect to perform the knife dance if you can’t even do the simple steps?
I’ll try it again.
That’s not necessary.
You’re all talk after all.
Tell me the truth.
You weren’t capable enough to learn from Baekmu,
it wasn’t as if you didn’t want to learn from her.
You weren’t confident about your dancing, isn’t that right?
How dare you stare at me like that?
I knew it was just too easy for Baekmu to give up on you like that.
She knew that this would happen.
Now, you’ll be nothing but a slave, and Baekmu will steal my job.
- I’ll try it again. - It’s not necessary.
Nothing will change, even if you practice a thousand times.
What do you say? It’s not too late.
If you quit now, I’ll do my best to make sure you don’t become a slave.
No, I can’t give it up.
I’ll do everything to make my steps lighter.
How?
You can’t dance using your mouth.
Have you finished practicing?
What are you doing in my quarters?
I thought we could have some tea.
What are you doing? Have some tea.
You look tired.
I’m glad you noticed.
If you have something to tell me, hurry and get it over with.
I need to rest.
Why don’t you stop this fight since you’re at a disadvantage?
I’m at a disadvantage?
Too bad for you.
I want to go through with this fight.
You’ve always looked down on me.
This was especially true after our teacher taught the crane dance to only you.
I want to show you that what you’ve been thinking was wrong.
Don’t overdo it.
Myeongwol hasn’t danced a single step for the last 5 years.
Even the most talented dancers cannot perform well if they don’t practice.
That’s true for everyone else.
She’s just like everyone else.
I heard she can’t perform the turn right.
But she ripped over 300 pieces of paper.
I’m sure you know what that symbolizes.
I’m sure she can tear up another 300 pieces of paper tomorrow.
But what comes next?
If she practices all day long with her body so stiff,
she could possibly strain her muscles. What then?
She wouldn’t be much of a slave, let alone be able to dance.
Stop being concerned about us, and pack your bags.
If you still have time left after that,
think of how to spend the rest of your life.
What are you doing?
There’s still a lot of time left before practice.
I wasn’t going to be late.
I never asked about practice.
I’m asking you what you’re doing with those bags attached to your feet?
Getting light on my feet is important.
Being light on your feet?
If you abuse your ankles, you may strain your ankles.
Do you want to be crippled before you ever dance?
You won’t be able to dance if you are so ignorant.
Follow me.
Stop.
That was wrong.
I told you many times already that you mustn’t splash the water.
You must get a feel of dipping your feet lightly into the water.
Try it again. Do it now.
She’s training in the river?
But she hadn’t improved at all.
She was being reprimanded.
That may be true for now.
What?
Maehyang is still a great artist.
She’s a good teacher.
Special training?
Are you saying that Maehyang is personally training Myeongwol?
Yes,
she has ordered us to pack her clothes for the special training.
Go inside and pack her clothes.
We can send it off through a messenger.
I feel sorry for Maehyang.
Meyongwol has no talent at all.
I don’t know why she’s being so dedicated.
She should be made into a slave.
Stop saying that.
What did you say?
What are you trying to say?
Myeongwol may be having a hard time now.
But she’s going to catch up with the rest of us.
What do you have eyes for?
How can you say that when you’ve seen her dance?
It’s because she hasn’t been dancing. She’ll reach the top soon.
Why are you so confident?
Why else would Baekmu be so insistent on teaching Myeongwol the crane dance?
What did you just say?
The crane dance?
Yes, it’s the legendary dance.
My teacher still thinks that the only one in all of Joseon who can learn it is Myeongwol.
You don’t know anything.
You did well. You did really well.
I felt great when you blew her off.
You showed them what you’re made of.
What are you so happy about?
I’m happy that you have a fierce mouth.
I don’t know why Myeongwol joined the other team.
It’s giving me a headache.
I can’t hope for her to win or lose.
I really don’t know what to do.
Did you want to see me?
I want to show you my dance.
You want to show me your dance?
Only then will you want to teach me the crane dance.
I guess you think that the match has been won already.
Despite the hard efforts of my teacher,
it will be impossible for Myeonwol to learn the knife dance in time.
So you’re coming to me instead?
Aren’t I allowed to?
You’re unbelievable.
But that’s not the only reason.
I’m also a dancer.
I want to step up to the challenge of dancing Joseon’s finest dance.
That doesn’t sound bad.
But the time isn’t right.
But ma’am...
First, perform the knife dance alongside Myeongwol.
I’ll decide whether to teach you the crane dance or not when you do.
But, if we’re successful with the dance...
I will lose my job.
What? You don’t want to learn dance steps from an ousted gisaeng?
Is it because I won’t have any power?
You should think of nothing else but the knife dance at the moment.
If you’re still passionate about learning the crane dance after the contest,
I’ll teach it to you.
Done with work already?
I guess work has ended early today.
I got off early because I think I’m coming down with a cold.
That’s too bad.
What’s all this?
What else?
This is Mr. Byeok’s present to Myeongwol.
Are you saying that you’ll present all this to Myeongwol as compensation?
Stop talking, and take these to Myeongwol.
Yes, sir.
Let’s go.
Okay.
What are you staring at?
Don’t you think this is a bit extreme?
If a gisaeng has all that money...
Let’s not talk about politics anymore.
Look here...
Stop talking like some prude.
Let me know if you come across a girl that you like.
I’ll pay for all the expenses.
Goodness.
Come now. Join me for some wine.
A glass of wine works wonders for a cold.
How many times have you done it?
How much more time will you waste hanging out with gisaengs?
Don’t you feel sorry for your wife, who is all alone?
Stop it.
You’re not my father.
What’s with the earful?
Look here.
There’s nothing much I can do around here.
I’m only good for having fun with the ladies and enjoying the wine and the scenery.
I can’t do anything much as a member of the royal family.
Have some wine.
You’re always making the wine taste bitter by talking about such things.
Are your feelings true?
Are you feelings toward Myeongwol true?
Why?
If I’m not serious,
are you going to try to court her?
You know better than that.
I guess since you’ve promised yourself to the people,
you won’t even think of getting married.
Don’t you think it’s unreasonable that you secretly admire Myeongwol?
I can relate to you to a certain degree.
It’s only right for a nobleman to try to make a name for himself in life.
But as a member of the royal family,
you’d be accused of treason if you tried to get a government post.
It must be frustrating.
If you want to seek the comfort of women,
don’t you think you should look for someone who can be true to you?
You’re so naive.
Let me tell you about the gisaeng.
A gisaeng is never interested in the truth or genuine feelings.
I may be wiling to share my feelings, but she won’t want to.
The only thing a giseang is after is our money.
It’s the same story for Myeongwol.
Do you think she came to me because she liked me genuinely?
She’s still not in her room?
Has she taken up fishing or something?
How could she have not returned to her quarters for the last month?
Sir.
Do you want me to go see what she’s up to?
If we told Maehyang how you felt...
Forget it.
She has great musical talent.
A person with her talent only comes once in a lifetime.
But I don’t want to give an impression of trying to hinder her practice.
Why do you want go there?
I must bring back the teacher.
Booyong.
It’s been a month already.
No, more than a month.
The teacher hasn’t stopped by once.
She never even sent us a message.
Do you know what this means?
It proves that Myeongwol has yet to learn the basic steps.
I guess you’re right.
That’s why I must bring the teacher back.
She should give up a fight she can’t win.
That way, we can think of our next step.
I think she’s going to see how much Myeonwol has improved.
Who cares?
We should go as well.
What for?
I’m curious.
It’ll be fun to see that cruel wench being scolded.
Don’t you agree?
Parot!
Let’s do that.
It sounds like fun.
I know.
What’s wrong with you?
No way.
I don’t think she’ll rip another piece of paper again.
I think she’ll be able to fly soon.
Hey... Hey...
What is it?
Pinch me.
You’re not dreaming at all.
Is that really Jini?
It’s been only a few days though.
Hey...
Our teacher isn’t the same.
She looks totally different.
She’s not at all like her old self.
She’s never showed us such a smile before.
That face...
I’ve never seen her so happy before.
Hey.
What’s going to happen now?
I don’t know.
Because Myeongwol has improved greatly, Baekmu is on the verge of losing her job.
She’s not the only one.
Do you think that Maehyang will let us keep our jobs if she wins?
She’d hire her girls and replace all of us here.
I guess you’re right.
That’s why I’ve been thinking.
Why don’t we ask our teacher if she can teach us the crane dance?
What?
It’s a harder dance than the knife dance.
If we pull off a great performance,
don’t you think that Baekmu would at least be able to keep her job?
Stop the nonsense.
It’s not nonsense.
Shall I talk to the teacher?
Look here, Danshim.
Maybe it’s because you were born a slave.
But don’t you think you should be able to distinguish right from wrong?
Let’s work hard.
Anything is possible.
There are things that are impossible. We’ve tried it all.
We practiced tied to logs.
We were even tied upside down.
We tried everything.
Before you joined the troupe, we tried everything.
And you want us to go through that again?
I can’t do it. I just won’t.
But we can’t lose our teacher like this.
I know that.
But what other choice do we have?
Lighten up.
Our teacher’s looked at you the same way she looked at Myeongwol.
But I don’t know why Myeongwol was working with knives.
What did you say?
Did I say something wrong?
Did you say that Myeongwol was working with knives?
Yes.
What are you doing so late at night?
Practice tomorrow.
Myeongwol will never catch up to you.
Do you really think so?
Cutting straws require just the right amount of strength.
The knife dance requires one to control one’s strength.
If you use too much power, your dance will be too stiff.
But...
If you’re too relaxed, you’re bound to let go of the knife.
Myeonwol is learning the ropes of the feel of the knives by practicing.
You know what?
Myeongwol may be a lot fiercer than we had anticipated.
So she’s finally back?
I guess we’ll hear from her tomorrow.
Of course.
You sent her so much money.
I’m sure she’s all smiles.
What is all this?
It’s all very expensive.
Wow.
Return it.
What?
What are you talking about?
Take all of it back.
What did I tell you?
We shouldn’t have kept this in her room.
What are you saying?
Myeongwol, just look at all this stuff.
All the gold and silver, and even some valuable ginseng.
And special herbs to make your face even prettier.
Send it back.
What are you doing?
I want everything out of my sight.
But...
Lady.
What’s wrong with you?
Didn’t you hear the lady?
What are you doing?
I wanted to give it to my daughter because it’s supposed to work wonders.
Myeongwol, can I have this?
Lady, get out.
Are you coming from work?
If you want to collect music samples, you should hire helpers to do it.
Don’t do it yourself.
It’s just not the same.
Folks songs are about life.
It’s about the happy times, the hard times, and everything in between.
All of it is included in folk songs.
I must go myself to seek the songs in order to do it right.
Hurry up.
Where are you going so early in the morning?
Will you be seeing Mr. Byeok right now?
Why do you ask?
Myeongwol had a fit, and asked for all of this to be returned.
Excuse me. I must be on my way.
Sure.
Hurry up.
Isn’t this the strangest thing?
I heard Mr. Byeok and Myeongwol had a great night together.
Why is she returning everything?
Did you just say a great night?
Myeongwol and Mr. Byeok?
That’s not true.
Myeongwol is known to sing and recite poetry.
But she is known not to spend the night with anyone.
From the looks of things,
Mr. Byeok would’ve fallen fast on his nose.
Myeongwol, you wench.
How dare you make me into a fool?
Sir.
Did you say that the men from the market are your most valuable clients?
What are you trying to say?
Did you disdain Mr. Byeok because he stopped you from performing for them?
Just like you did the other day?
Are you defending him?
Are you sticking up for his pride?
Don’t you think it’s a bit too much to be asking about such personal details?
Is it true?
I’m asking you if the men from the market are you most valuable clients.
Why aren’t you answering me?
I don’t know why I must answer you.
I’m sure you’re not confident enough to answer me.
Why would you book appointments with men from the market everytime you’re wanted?
I’m sure you had another agenda.
Am I wrong?
You’re a fool.
How long will you make innocent men a target of ridicule?
You’re making fools out of the people from the market and not the noblemen.
Actually, you’re the one with the short end of the stick.
Myeongwol, you wench!
What’s wrong with you guys? Let me go.
Why did you bring me to such a secluded place?
What are you up to?
I think we have to come up with a plan.
If we don’t do anything, Baekmu and all of us will lose our jobs.
What’s there to do? Myeongwol was born with a gift.
It’s not like we can lock Myeongwol up somewhere.
We have to come up with a plan.
A plan?