[Episode 18]
Get up.
Ma’am.
I told you to get up!
Ma’am.
How dare you.
Go away right now!
You aren’t mere prostitutes.
So get up now!
What are you doing, Chilseong?
Take her away right now!
A professional dancer must finish her dance.
That’s what being a dancer is all about.
Forget it.
That’s enough.
Have the girls dance again.
After the dance,
we’ll pour you your drinks.
I said that I don’t need your dance!
- What are you doing? - Hey, you!
You, wench!
Just because we are of a lower class doesn’t mean that our dance is vulgar.
I told you that the dance wasn’t finished!
How dare you look down upon the royal family.
Do you expect to stay alive?
How dare a gisaeng behave like this at a banquet?
You can’t let her live. You can’t let her live at all.
You must put her to death!
What are you doing?
Take her, and lock her up in prison!
Ma’am.
Please stay calm, sir.
What’s going on here?
How could you act like such a little baby?
Say something.
At least give me an excuse.
I don’t have any excuses, sir.
How could I have an excuse for spilling my guts out?
I’ll try my best to lessen Mr. Byeok’s anger.
No.
Don’t do anything at all.
Hey, Baekmu.
Just execute the law as it is.
How can you say that?
Don’t you know what you’ll be faced with if we carry out the law?
Yes, I do, sir.
So?
Or else, you’ll get hurt.
And I don’t want that to happen to you, sir.
How can this be happening?
Baekmu.
Ma’am!
Stop crying.
Ma’am.
Don’t waste your tears on me.
Go back to the troupe.
No.
We’ll be with you in the prison cell if you’re locked up, ma’am.
Please, let us join you.
Let us serve you, ma’am.
That’s absurd.
Ma’am.
Don’t call me that.
I don’t have the right to be a troupe leader.
What are you saying, ma’am?
You should call me a fool and spit on me.
Ma’am.
I was not told to speak my mind.
I was told that a gisaeng should hide her feelings from everyone.
She shouldn’t show her sadness or scream with happiness.
However angry she may be,
she mustn’t let it show.
That’s how a gisaeng must act.
How could I be called a troupe leader when I didn’t stick to the rules?
So don’t waste your tears on me, and go back home.
We can’t do that, ma’am.
Leave, right now!
Let’s go.
Ma’am!
Did you just ask me to pardon Baekmu?
It’s just not possible.
Mr. Byeok.
It’s not possible.
I’m going to have her pay for her sin.
She’s talented.
And she’s supposed to be performing at the palace festival soon.
Talented?
She was that haughty because she believes that she’s so talented.
I know the king wouldn’t want to see someone like that perform.
I beg you to forgive her.
For how long will you be so out of focus?
How dare you try to protect that low life from the law?
Do you still call yourself a government official?
If the king were to find out, you’d be in great trouble.
Give her a flogging.
I’m telling you to break her legs, so that she can never dance again.
How could you do that to her legs when she treasures them?
Don’t you know that it would be worse than killing her?
It’ll be a lesson for all.
So that no one would try to act like Baekmu.
What?
What did you just say was going to happen to Baekmu’s legs?
Sir.
I’ve already told Baekmu that she’ll be getting a flogging.
Still, I think she should be prepared.
But this is too harsh.
How could he be so cruel?
I think it’s better than getting punished by surprise.
That Myeongwol!
Are you happy now that you have what you wanted?
Baekmu won’t be able to dance anymore.
I told you not to be so haughty.
You’re the one that made fun of Mr. Byeok.
Why does Baekmu have to pay for your misgivings?
Tell me.
Say something!
Go!
Go, and beg Mr. Byeok.
Go, and ask him to save Baekmu’s life.
What should I beg for?
So you want me to smile and wear pretty clothes for him to save Baekmu’s life?
Myeongwol.
Do you think Baekmu would want me to beg like that?
Fine, while we’re on the subject...
If you’re so smart, and you know how Baekmu thinks,
how could you drive her to the edge of the cliff like that?
She was extremely stressed about you.
Or else, she wouldn’t have made such a foolish mistake, you wench.
What’s wrong with you?
Let me go, or I’ll kill you as well.
No, don’t do this.
Do you think Myeongwol wanted this to happen?
I’m sure she’s feeling awful as well.
Are you okay?
Maybe you should go see Myeongwol.
Why don’t we send a messenger to the capital?
We should send a messenger to Maehyang.
At least, she and Baekmu used to be close colleagues.
I’m sure she’ll take care of her.
Go to the troupe in the capital at once.
Every second counts.
Oh, great.
The atmosphere at the troupe is getting worse.
I don’t know if I should stay in or go out.
It’s a really difficult situation.
Hey, Parrot.
Parrot, what are you doing?
Put on your hat, and go to the capital.
Why to the capital all of a sudden?
You said that one of your close relatives was a high ranking official.
Huh?
Didn’t you say you knew the prime minister?
Why aren’t you putting on your hat?
Baekmu will die if you stall.
Please help us out, considering how close you are to the troupe.
Let us take advantage of your relatives.
The thing is, Parrot...
My relative...
Hurry, and put on your clothes. We can talk while you’re changing.
We don’t have any time to waste.
Well...
Sir!
He’s a relative of a relative of an in-law.
A relative of a relative of an in-law?
So what did I tell you?
I told you to study.
If you were in a high ranking position,
Baekmu wouldn’t be half crippled.
What are you doing here?
From Keumchoon to Chisun,
all the girls have come here and cried.
I think all the crying will take the house down.
About Baekmu...
If you’re going to waste your time talking about nonsense,
go back.
Sir.
Your voice sounds so seductive.
Do you want to loosen my shirt again?
Go away.
I’m...
I’m pregnant with your baby.
So?
Please have mercy on Baekmu, considering the baby.
I want to be able to tell the baby that its father was a very kind man.
What a joke.
Sir.
Are you sure the baby is mine?
Sir.
A gisaeng caters to many men.
How can I be sure that the baby is mine?
Myeongwol. Don’t tell me that...
Danshim.
Yes?
I really didn’t want to do this because of you.
I know.
I’m sorry.
I thought you had something to tell me.
Cat got your tongue?
Please, pardon Baekmu.
That’ll never happen.
I’ll become your concubine.
Are you sure?
Yes, I am.
I hope you’re not joking again.
After I see Baekmu being pardoned for myself,
I won’t waste a second going back to the capital.
I’d rather lose you than be your friend.
I’ve loved a woman for the first time.
And, never again.
I won’t be able to take my heart back with me.
My heart that I truly loved you with...
I’ll leave that here with you.
I’ll give up my love for you.
I have no other choice.
Ma’am.
Madam Baekmu.
Please eat.
Just a spoonful.
Stop refusing.
You don’t need to be here.
Go and mind your own business.
You don’t have to feel hopeless.
Everything will be all right.
Myeongwol has gone to see Mr. Byeok.
What do you mean?
Why has Myeongwol gone to see Mr. Byeok?
Jini.
Don’t say anything.
Please don’t, mother.
I guess there’s no other way.
We can’t stand around and watch Baekmu die,
so I guess this is the only way.
Yeah.
Danshim is pregnant.
I know.
I knew about it.
The heavens and gods are really cruel.
I don’t know what we did wrong in our past lives.
Why do we have to suffer so much in our current lives?
Mother.
I really feel sorry for you.
What am I going to do without you?
Can you get me my comb?
Ma’am.
I must look awful.
I don’t want to look bad, even when I’m in my prison cell.
Teacher.
How is Baekmu?
She’s doing okay.
Why aren’t you with her now?
She wanted me to get her a comb.
Baekmu asked for a comb?
Yes, teacher.
Your hands were always very strong, but soft.
That’s why you’re so talented on the gayageum.
You were a very nice girl since you were very little.
Even after being scolded severely, you would stop crying almost immediately.
You would ask me if I wanted my hair combed.
And then you would smile brightly.
You used to have just as many tears as I did back then.
When you had lost my first love,
and I was crying in your friend’s arms,
you told me not to tell anyone.
You said that you wouldn’t forgive me.
That’s what you said.
But all was forgotten.
And you were all about making the place all happy again.
When I saw you being so strict with us,
sometimes I felt surprised and sad.
That’s how it was.
You wench.
Did I do the right thing?
You were so hurt.
The ordeal made you lose your eyesight.
I had blamed you for being a fool.
And I made Jini break it off with her first love.
And Sumsum’s death.
Countless deeds.
There are so many things I did that I can’t even count them all.
Ma’am.
What have I gained...
for being so cruel and stubborn?
I don’t know if I’ve gained anything at all.
What are you thinking right now?
Why are you acting so helpless?
Hyeongeum.
You could die if you get flogged.
Are you willing to be punished just so that Jini won’t end up as a concubine?
Hyeongeum.
Are you preparing to die or have your legs be broken?
Is that why you’re getting all dressed up to look nice?
Is it because you don’t want to look ugly during your last moments?
Stop it.
Aren’t I right?
Go back.
Don’t do it.
Don’t let it happen.
I told you to go back.
Haven’t you had enough?
You should learn how to give in.
You should be more concerned about Jini.
Don’t you think you should save your life?
Do you expect me to ask your daughter to save my life?
You should think of all the people that look up to you.
Don’t think of anything else.
It’s important to find a way to live first.
I can take care of my own life.
So don’t do anything foolish. Just stay low.
What did you just say?
How could you make such a bad joke?
Why would we be joking? We’re not crazy.
Do you think we’re crazy enough to come all the way here from Song-do to make jokes?
I can only consider it as a joke.
Baekmu would never make a mistake, even if she had a knife threatening her life.
We don’t have time to waste like this.
I’m telling you that Baekmu will be killed if we don’t come up with a plan.
What are you doing?
Don’t go to Song-do, ma’am.
What?
No one can help Baekmu if the situation is that bad.
If you were to act in haste, you may be in danger as well.
Stop.
What Booyong is saying is true, ma’am.
Shut your mouth.
Don’t speak a single word again.
If you do, I’m going to punish you here, right now.
Ma’am.
Maehyang, what are you doing at my place so late at night?
I need your help, sir.
I need you to help save a life.
Did you ask to see me?
Can I ask you for a big favor?
Just for a second...
Can you let me go for just a second?
Look here.
Today’s my last night as a gisaeng.
I want to spend the night with the troupe.
Are you crying?
It’s not like you to cry.
You don’t need to cry so sadly.
You will have more days to dance in that dress.
Is it true that you told Mr. Byeok that you’d be his concubine?
I’m thinking of it as charity.
You’re a fool.
Isn’t that a bit severe?
I think I deserve to be thanked when I just saved your life.
Who asked for your pity?
I never said I pitied you.
Well, I don’t need your pity.
It’s not pity.
I didn’t like being a gisaeng anyway.
Don’t you know that I’ve been sick of it?
That’s why I made a decision to live a more comfortable life.
Foolish wench.
First you lose your love,
and now you’ll give up the arts out of pity?
Go away. I know you can’t live that way.
I said I was sick of it.
How dare you pity me when you can’t take care of yourself?
- Ma’am. - Go away.
I know you want to dance.
I know you’re going crazy because you want to dance in your dress.
I don’t need help from someone like you.
I can take care of myself.
I’m not one to be disappointed so easily.
So don’t worry about me, and take care of your own business.
I’m sick of you.
I’ve never seen anyone like you.
Why are you so stubborn and tough?
How could you be such a person?
I’m sick and tired of you.
That wench.
How dare she do this to me until the end?
What does the letter say?
Baekmu writes to say that she’s willing to be punished so I shouldn’t take in Myeongwol.
That sorry woman.
Fine, if that’s what she wants.
If death is what she wants,
it’s what she’s going to get.
The dance records that you’ve treasured...
I’m sure you realize that they are useless.
I’m going to start from the beginning.
I’m going to dance a true crane dance.
I must complete it.
[The Crane Dance Hwang Jini]
Ma’am!
You’re not rowing fast enough.
Hurry up.
We must hurry.
Yes, I will.
Ma’am!
Sir.
Is Mr. Byeok unchanged on his position?
I’ll meet up with him.
Please hold off the execution for a bit.
I don’t think we can carry out the execution.
What do you mean?
The prisoner disappeared last night.
Disappeared?
Are you saying that Baekmu broke out of her cell?
Broke out of her cell?
That’s not possible.
Baekmu isn’t able to do that.
She’ll be looking for a place to commit suicide.
Maehyang.
What are you doing?
Release your men.
You should have all your men search throughout Song-do to find her.
If you don’t find her, I’ll harm you myself.
Didn’t you know this about Baekmu?
Do you think that she would be willing to be humiliated in front of her pupils?
Do you think she’d be willing to
have her heart broken to be punished by you, her only love?
You fool.
You loved her your entire life.
You couldn’t protect her.
And now she’s so lonely.
Do you still consider yourself a man?
What happened? Did you find her?
Well...
What happened to our troupe leader?
Baekmu just returned to the government office.
What?
Go to her now.
She’s waiting for you.
Okay.
Ma’am...
Ma’am!
My lady.
Get up.
What are you doing? Aren’t you embarrassed?
How could you do this?
You’re such a coward to run away.
I can’t accept it.
So get up.
Hurry and get up.
Open your eyes.
I have something to tell you.
I said, I have something to tell you!
You may have said what you wanted to but I haven’t finished yet.
Open your eyes!
Get up! Hurry up and get up!
What are you doing?
Let me go!
How dare you act in such a way?
I can’t accept it.
I just can’t!
I can’t accept it!
Make her get up.
I have something I must tell her.
There’s something I want to say!
Calm down.
Calm your heart down.
This is the last time you’ll be seeing her.
Say your farewell in a mannerly fashion.
I’ve never met such a ruthless person.
I lived with her every day for the last 30 years like sisters.
How could she?
She didn’t even say goodbye.
I would’ve joined her if she had asked me to in a second.
Don’t think such thoughts.
Go out, and take care of the girls.
I shall.
I’ll be joining you, my friend.
I can’t believe that my rival for life is gone.
What reason do I have on earth to keep on living?
Baekmu, my friend.
That wench.
They’re so awful.
Why did you do it?
If you’re hear to scold me, go back.
Pack your bags.
Come back with me.
No, I can’t do that.
Bring Myeongwol to me.
Tell her to be my concubine now!
Look here.
A promise is a promise.
Tell her to be my concubine.
A life has passed on.
I didn’t kill her.
I didn’t order her death.
I know.
I know that you’re not feeling all that well right now.
So let’s go back.
No, I can’t.
I just won’t.
Bring Myeongwol to me.
Tell her to fall on her knees.
I’m going to make her my concubine.
Stop it!
Don’t mess with that woman anymore.
Are you saying she’s your girl?
Is that it?
A person is merely a person.
She belongs to no one, and she’s not someone’s toy.
How honorable you are.
You’re so great.
Evil deeds are worse than hypocrisy.
Why don’t you be true to yourself now?
I know that the entire situation isn’t easy on you, either.
I know it.
If you can’t go back now,
say your farewell to the deceased.
It’ll help ease your conscience.
She talked about it like a habit.
She wanted to come here when she died.
Because she’d forever be a dancer.
She wanted the water to take over her body...
And dance her last dance.
She wanted to be dancing on her way to death.
That’s what she said.
Myeongwol has gone crazy.
Do you want to win until the end?
It wouldn’t be enough for you to be crying the loudest.
How dare you get all dressed up?
Wait.
Don’t stop me, sir.
I’m going to kill her, and we’ll all die here. That’ll be the end of that.
Look carefully.
Look closely.
It’s a dance.
The unfinished dance.
The dance that you couldn’t finish.
The dance that Baekmu really wanted to complete.
The name of the dance is “Nakhwa Ilsoon.”
It means that the flower flows in the water stream.
I guess you can call the dance a sad one.
Would you like to learn how to dance?
Come inside the threshold.
Once you cross the threshold,
you’ll be on your way to being an artist.
If you did that for me, I think you made the wrong choice.
A gisaeng’s face is most important.
I did only what was necessary as the leader of the troupe.
Be strong when it comes to love.
Dance until you can smile, even when you are still sad over your loss.
Do you know what’s most important for a gisaeng?
Is it wine?
Is it love?
Is it the arts?
No.
It’s pain.