Original subtitles

BON APPÉTIT, YOUR MAJESTY

- Miss. - Ask her what is wrong.

- I have no idea. - Miss!

- What made you so angry? - I'll kill you all!

What is this noise?

The palace was quiet for a while.

His Majesty must have called the performers again.

The palace is full of unrest as it is. I doubt it is the performers.

We have been here long enough.

It is obviously the performers.

Let us hurry and prepare His Majesty's chojoban

before he reprimands us for serving him late.

CHOJOBAN: EARLY MORNING MEAL THAT USUALLY INCLUDES SOOTHING FOOD

Sure.

What are you doing?

You are scaring me.

Good morning.

I have no idea why she stayed up all night doing that.

I must go to Saongwon, Office of Royal Meals.

Then take me with you.

Man-su, it seems we are out of firewood.

Oh no. That is not good news.

What is the matter, miss?

Look at your face.

What happened that made you look so haggard?

There is no one but us now, so tell me.

- You're so dead! - My goodness!

Do I have to cook hangover soup for that punk?

It's such a shame I don't have gochugaru, chili powder.

Poor dried pollack.

It died twice.

Miss, what are you making that requires such work?

What?

I was going to cook dried pollack hangover soup,

but this is an insult to the fish.

- Right? - Yes.

I am embarrassed to face it. Oh dear.

Take this, Gil-geum.

What for?

I'm going to

turn all this into powder.

I'm going to destroy you!

Miss!

COURSE N° 5 SNOWFLAKE SCHNITZEL

Your Majesty, your chojoban is ready.

Bring it in.

YI HEON KING OF JOSEON

Your Majesty, are you all right?

You are here.

You had too much to drink last night,

so I prepared a dried pollack consommé to soothe your hangover.

CONSOMMÉ: A FRENCH-STYLE CLEAR SOUP

A dried pollack consumed in hay?

Yes.

It's a French-style soup made with dried pollack.

A soup made with dried pollack?

- Taste it. - Yes, Your Majesty.

CHOI MAL-IM KING'S SENIOR COURT LADY

Did you not say

this was a dried pollack soup?

Where is the dried pollack?

I crushed the fish into small pieces to make it easier to eat.

Have some more.

See if you feel anything bothering you.

Though I'm sure you won't feel anything.

Everyone but the chief royal cook may leave.

- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Tell me.

Did something happen last night?

I was going to ask you.

Do you not remember

what happened last night?

Well, I was drinking.

And then?

One drinks to forget.

So why would I remember anything?

So you're saying you don't remember anything at all, right?

How dare you? You are speaking out of line.

Why do you keep asking?

"Stay as you are."

"Just for a while."

You don't remember that?

What was that?

I'd rather not explain any further.

Are you done?

Why are you acting like this?

Tell it to me straight.

Your Majesty.

Let me make one thing very clear.

You're not my style at all, okay?

What? Not your sty?

No. I'm talking about ideal types.

The type that I like.

You're not at all the kind of man that I like.

Have you forgotten?

You are my chief royal cook.

That means

I do not see you as a woman.

That's perfect.

So what is there to make clear?

I'm so sick and tired of this.

I won't beat around the bush.

Your Majesty.

From now on, watch where you… No.

Watch out when you drink at night, all right?

Very well.

I will be careful when I drink at night.

- Take the food away. - Yes, Your Majesty.

My goodness.

Chang-seon.

CHANG-SEON CHIEF EUNUCH OF ROYAL FOOD

Did you ask for me, Your Majesty?

Did something happen

to the chief royal cook at Unyeongjeong last night?

Yesterday, she…

What happened to her?

Well…

You laid your lips upon hers, Your Majesty.

I laid my lips upon the chief royal cook's own?

I brought your juansang--

Stay still.

Your Majesty…

Stay as you are.

Just for a while.

Do you not remember what happened last night?

Your Majesty, from now on,

watch out when you drink at night, all right?

What on earth do I do about this?

It would be better for us both to ignore what happened.

No. Considering what I did to her,

it would be best to soothe her anger.

Wait.

Why should I

even worry about this?

I am the king of this nation,

and Cook Yeon is just my cook.

The more I think about it, the less sense it makes.

He doesn't remember, huh?

Man, how ridiculous. That punk.

I understand he blacked out,

but how can he be so shameless?

I didn't even expect an apology.

This is just absurd.

Is something bothering you?

Why are you mumbling to yourself?

Who are you? Do you know me?

GONG-GIL YEONHUIGUN'S JESTER WITH MANY SECRETS

Do you not recognize me?

I asked because I don't.

Surely you're not a new cook.

What the heck?

You're that jester from the other night.

Gong-gil?

That is right.

I apologize for startling you that night.

Did you

come here to deceive me and call it another performance?

Let me tell you something.

I got promoted to chief royal cook.

It's a sixth-rank junior position.

The head of the royal kitchen.

That sure is intimidating.

A sixth-rank junior official.

Are you laughing?

I'm warning you right now.

Very well.

I will not mock you again.

By the way, is that maid all right?

Gil-geum, was it?

Someone suddenly hit me and made me fall.

That's when I smacked my head on the ground.

A man suddenly appeared and shouted at the culprit.

It was the handsome jester, Gong-gil.

Oh.

Yes. Gil-geum is fine and well.

Did you see who did that to her?

I did not see.

However,

the color of her attire was that of a court lady.

I saw the hem of her skirt, you see.

A court lady?

Who on earth would do that?

Tell Gil-geum to watch out for a while.

I will.

Gil-geum is grateful for your help.

It was nothing at all.

I only ran into her while looking for someone.

Who were you looking for?

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Okay.

Goodbye then.

I hope to see you again, Chief Royal Cook.

What's wrong with him?

This place is filled with weirdos.

I just can't get used to this.

Who is that?

She was taken to Jahongwon and returned home dead.

This is all because of that damned king!

You said you would live a comfortable life in the palace.

Why did you come back dead?

Ok-dan…

If I watch you closely,

I will soon find out.

After all, I have found the owner

of the binyeo that my older sister held tight even in death.

Are you certain

that Gong-gil did not see you during the competition?

Yes, Your Grace. Do not concern yourself.

Could it be that the lowly jester has grown fond of the gwinyeo?

How interesting.

If the jester has secretly developed feelings for the gwinyeo,

he will get in the way at every turn.

Get someone who can be trusted to find out all they can about Gong-gil.

I must find out why he suddenly took a part in the gwinyeo's affairs.

Yes, Your Grace.

Also,

tell the chief eunuch that I wish to speak with His Majesty

after the morning assembly today.

Yes, Your Grace. I will tell him so.

Your Majesty,

I believe the letters from the ministers require your immediate attention.

What are these letters of appeal about?

It is a request that you reduce

the amount of ginseng the Hwanghae Governor renders tribute.

They want the amount to be reduced?

Yes, Your Majesty. Ginseng smuggling has recently become rampant in Kaesong,

and they are short on supply to send to the palace.

Moreover, the Ming envoy who will reach Hanyang in four days

is thought to mention this matter as well.

What?

As if buying Joseon ginseng in secret is not enough,

they will make it a diplomatic issue?

Does the Ming want all the ginseng Joseon can grow?

Nothing is for sure yet.

Please calm yourself, Your Majesty.

Tell me.

Who is the chief envoy this time?

The leader of the Imperial Eight, also known as the eight directors

who seized power with the Emperor's support…

THE IMPERIAL EIGHT: EIGHT EUNUCHS (DIRECTORS) FAVORED BY THE MING EMPEROR

…Yu Kun.

Yu Kun?

Is he not the eunuch

who punished the Ming envoy who returned after agreeing

to no longer take Joseon women as tribute two years ago?

It is he, Your Majesty.

What is he scheming?

Why would that man come in person as a chief envoy?

Find out exactly what his true intent could be.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I will send word to the reception official and find out.

Your Majesty.

Last night,

while partaking in your juansang,

you and the chief royal…

- Please forget it, Your Majesty. - Do not stop midway.

Continue.

Is it true that while partaking in your juansang last night,

you and the chief royal cook…

Is it true that you did that?

What?

Forgive me, Your Majesty. Let us head to the morning assembly.

No, wait!

Come here.

I had a lot to drink,

and I think I bestowed the brazen woman with my favor.

However, instead of being grateful,

her already unattractive face is brimming with spite.

I cannot stand the sight.

How dare you laugh at me?

Your Majesty.

Women, by nature, are easily swayed by gifts.

Gifts?

Is it not enough that I bestowed my favor?

Must I also give her a gift?

If her unattractive face were to become even more unattractive,

it would torment you to have to look at it every day, would it not?

It would indeed.

Then tell me.

What should I give someone like her to make her feel better?

Silk?

A binyeo, hairpin?

Or a ring?

No, not those things.

You cannot gift a woman just anything, Your Majesty.

Then what?

What is most important

is that you find out what she likes and give her that.

How am I to know what she likes?

That is why

women are hard to grasp.

The Grand Royal Queen Dowager prefers books to jewels,

and Her Grace Consort Kang prefers jewels to books.

They are both women, and yet they like different things.

I respectfully advise you to ponder this carefully, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

A group of envoys will arrive in Hanyang four days from today

with an edict from the Ming Emperor.

So I heard.

How are the preparations going?

A temporary reception office has been set up,

and Second Minister of Rites Yoo Hyeong-min left for Yangju

with a retinue to do his duty as the reception official.

The envoy's route from the entrance to the capital, Namdaemun,

to Taepyeonggwan, Official Reception Hall, has been cleaned.

Furthermore, to entertain the envoys,

we summoned a great many jesters for a grand welcome celebration.

Once the official business is done, we will float boats on the Han River

where the envoys can write and exchange poems with our scholars.

What about the preparations for the farewell ceremony?

We prepared gifts for them to take on their return,

including 200 pieces of silver bullion.

What?

Two hundred pieces of silver?

Yes, Your Majesty.

That is not all.

The silver must be taken to the border,

and that requires eight men per cart, a total of around sixty men.

It will reduce what is in our coffers by half.

Your Majesty.

This is something that must be done

to sustain our amicable relationship with the Ming.

However, it is true that 200 pieces of silver are too much.

That is right. The previous envoy did not return with that much silver.

The previous envoy was a civil official well-known in the Ming,

and he did not care much for monetary goods.

However, the envoy we are expecting this time

is known for being haughty and greedy, even in his homeland.

An excess can be remedied later on,

but we will not have time to make up for a deficiency.

It is only right to be well-prepared.

I agree with the Chief State Councilor.

We do not yet know what the envoy will demand,

and we cannot ignore their authority and influence.

Would it not be best to host the envoys

- without incident? - Enough!

That is enough.

Our state coffers

are filled with the blood, sweat,

and hard work of my people.

And yet

you have no plans to secure our resources

and only aim to pander to them and cower before their whims.

You do not know what he will demand,

so you prepared gifts and 200 pieces of silver?

And you still claim that you are acting in the people's interest?

Can you, without shame,

say that you are acting in the interest of the country and its people?

However, Your Majesty,

we cannot simply demand our wishes

- when it comes to diplomatic issues. - The taxes paid by the Joseon people

belong to the Joseon royal family.

Prepare only the minimum of gifts and silver bullion,

and keep the reception of the envoys

in the most modest manner.

- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.

- We will do as you command. - We will do as you command.

Your Majesty.

Step back.

- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.

What is it?

Yi Jang-gyun was found collapsed at Banchon Village this morning.

- Is he alive? - Yes, Your Majesty.

He is unconscious due to the severe injury.

Where is he now?

What about the draft?

I did not find it.

I took him somewhere safe and had a physician treat him.

And?

He disappeared without a trace.

- He disappeared? - Yes, Your Majesty.

There were no signs of an intrusion,

so it seems he got away on his own.

Where would an injured man go?

Someone must still be after his life.

I am certain of it.

Who?

Who would do this?

Select a few nimble, tight-lipped soldiers and find him.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You must hurry.

Your Majesty.

Her Grace Consort Kang wishes to have an audience with you.

I shall escort you to Jahongwon.

I do not

wish to see anyone today.

But Your Majesty…

Your Majesty.

These are butterfly hairpins.

Yes, I like these.

Leave us.

What is it?

His Majesty left the hall of governance,

but he is headed to his chambers.

What?

Did the chief eunuch inform him that I wished to see him?

Yes, Your Grace.

So this is how he chooses to act.

Drag the queen out!

Let go of me!

How dare you do this to me?

Your Majesty, how could you--

Enough! Drag her away!

- Let go of me. - Please stand up, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

A king is one who fathoms.

He must fathom his family, the heavens,

and the hearts of others.

What does fathom mean?

You will understand what that means when you grow up.

Your Majesty.

This is the way to the royal kitchen.

Why did I come here?

Are you going to eat or not? Open up.

I'm glad to see you enjoying it.

I'm sure you had a lot to think about today.

It's just like how being a king comes with perks,

but also challenges and hardships.

Why am I thinking of you

when my heart feels heavy?

Someone must still be after his life. I am certain of it.

Not even I have seen the draft of the historical record.

So who is chasing Principal Drafter Yi so viciously and why?

Your Majesty, it is I, Court Lady Choi.

You may enter.

Your Majesty.

- Your seoksura, evening meal-- - Leave it.

Pardon?

- Then-- - Enough.

I do not

wish to eat anything tonight.

Yes, Your Majesty.

His Majesty remains in his chambers without eating his meal?

Something does not feel right.

Did you hear that last night,

he touched lips with the chief royal cook who brought his juansang to Unyeongjeong?

Yes, Your Grace.

However, His Majesty was drunk--

It was not purely because he was drunk.

All incidents are preceded by a sign.

Then…

The chief royal cook's presence itself is a thorn in my side.

What would you like to be done?

If he will not see me,

I have no choice but to go see him myself.

His Majesty's physical examination is coming up, is it not?

Yes. It is in two days' time.

Grand Prince Jesan will visit the palace that day.

What if

I served His Majesty a meal that day?

It would be the perfect way to win back His Majesty's favor.

What should I serve him?

His Majesty will skip his seoksura.

Okay.

Wait, what? He's skipping his evening meal? Why?

I do not know why,

but His Majesty said not to bring in any food today.

He won't eat? That's odd.

It sure is.

He rarely misses a meal.

It truly is worrisome.

I'll prepare his meal anyway.

If he refuses to eat, so be it.

Do you have a good idea?

I have to at least try.

Yes, do that.

I shall get going.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye, Eunuch Yoon.

- Oh dear. What do we do? - Let's go.

- What was that? - Le…

- What? - Lego!

This competition was the chance to replace the chief royal cook.

I have no excuse for my failure, Your Grace.

This is your last chance to become the chief royal cook.

Your Grace. This is…

It is arsenic.

Watch for the right time

and add that to the meal the gwinyeo makes for His Majesty.

SEOKSURA

CHICKEN FRICASSEE A FRENCH CREAM STEW WITH CHICKEN

What?

CHOJOBAN

Your Majesty. Your chojoban is ready.

He really should try this though.

NATGEOTSANG

Your Majesty, your natgeotsang, daytime meal, is ready.

SEOKSURA

What a long day it was.

- You did well today. - You too, Gil-geum.

Oh, are you not going inside?

No. You go ahead.

- Okay. Do not stay out too long. - Okay.

How did I end up like this?

It feels like yesterday that I won La Poêle d'Or.

This feels so unreal.

I wonder how Dad is doing.

I miss him.

I hope he's not skipping meals like His Majesty is.

Oh my. I must be losing my mind.

What did I just see?

Isn't he hungry at all?

Food is what keeps us going.

What on earth is making him skip meals?

Goodness.

Oh, our dear princess,

is this little bite good enough for you? Here you go.

This is what we call "tableside service."

Watching and enjoying the food being prepared before your eyes

stimulates the appetite.

I'll show you.

Open your mouth.

Am I thinking of you because I am hungry,

or am I hungry because I am thinking of you?

I cannot tell.

Chang-seon.

Yes, Your Majesty.

When will they serve my evening meal?

Pardon?

Did you just ask about your evening meal, Your Majesty?

Yes.

I am hungry.

Your Majesty, your seoksura is ready.

Bring it in.

It has been a while, Chief Royal Cook.

Yes. It has been a while, Your Majesty.

So, what did you bring me this evening?

You didn't eat at all today,

so I made chicken soup to soothe your stomach.

CHICKEN SOUP: A CLEAR CHICKEN BROTH WITH MEAT AND VEGETABLES

"Swoop"?

It's like a rice gruel flavored with chicken broth.

They call it "soup" in foreign countries.

In case you get an upset stomach,

I only prepared dongchimi, radish water kimchi,

as an easily-digestible side dish to spark your appetite.

Taste it.

Yes, Your Majesty.

It is delicious.

What is this feeling? Why do I feel so proud?

Why does my heart

race so fast

when I see you?

GRAND PRINCE JESAN'S RESIDENCE

Was it not

the anniversary of your younger brother Kim I-son's death recently?

It was, Your Highness.

He died so suddenly.

Your brother passed so suddenly

during the Muin Literati Purge,

as well as my friends

and the brothers of many officials.

That is why

we got together, did we not?

Yes, Your Highness.

Then why

did you send an assassin to Salgoji Forest without my permission?

With your family almost wiped out because of the purge,

I am sure you were ashamed to have survived by yourself

just because you were His Majesty's lecturer.

Even so, you should not have acted out alone

like that.

I thought and believed

that there would be no better opportunity.

I apologize, Your Highness.

You provoked His Majesty, who had been calm since the purge.

The day you are discovered, all of us…

will have to pay the price.

This is a deed to some land in Yeoju.

You should be able to support your family for the rest of your life.

Grand Prince Jesan found out that I was behind

the attack in Salgoji Forest.

You have to live like the dead from now on.

Get him!

So Grand Prince Jesan was the one behind Kim Yang-son?

How interesting.

The foul stench spreads wide.

You lost him yet again?

I apologize, Your Highness.

He must be no ordinary guy.

That little rat.

I will kill him at all costs and eliminate all future threats.

You have lost him already…

and you will never be able to find him again.

However,

he tried to assassinate His Majesty.

He will surely show himself again.

If you make a mistake again,

it will be your head that will get cut off.

I will remember that, Your Highness.

His Majesty has started to eat

the meals prepared by the chief royal cook since last night?

Yes, Your Grace.

I heard it from one of the maids at His Majesty's quarters.

Send word to the royal kitchen immediately.

For His Majesty, a gourmet,

I will prepare the natgeotsang after the physical examination today.

Yes, Your Grace.

Deliver this to Cook Maeng.

Yes, Your Grace.

I will not sit back and let the chief royal cook be this time.

I will show her myself

that one can burn if they approach the sun recklessly.

Here it comes.

- Here it is. - Eunuch Yoon.

Greetings.

- My gosh. - Here.

- It is beef. - Beef?

I got the best from Banchon Village.

My word. Look at this precious thing!

It must've been freshly butchered.

It has a nice sheen and lovely marbling.

It's really fresh.

It sure is.

I can smell the distinct, rich aroma of fresh meat.

We have meat in Saongwon too.

Why did you go all the way to Banchon Village?

Today is the day of His Majesty's physical examination,

so Grand Prince Jesan will visit the palace.

Use this to prepare a special royal meal for them.

What exactly is a physical examination?

It is a day when Grand Prince Jesan,

the Superintendent of Saongwon, visits the palace

to examine His Majesty's health in detail with the royal physician.

Oh, it's like a checkup.

A checkup?

Well, I guess you could call it that.

Then will His Majesty

and Grand Prince Jesan dine together today?

Yes.

Prepare the natgeotsang so they can dine together.

Okay, understood.

- Goodbye. - All right.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

So who is this Grand Prince Jesan?

I believe he is the cousin of His Majesty's father,

the late king.

Oh, he's a member of the royal family.

Wait.

Grand Prince Jesan?

Doesn't Grand Prince Jinmyeong take the throne after a revolt?

I'm all confused now.

Since we're expecting a special guest,

the menu…

How about we have a meeting to discuss the food?

- A meeting? - Yes.

- I mean-- - Let us hurry up and gather round.

A meeting?

My goodness.

Cook Maeng.

Yes, my lady. What brings you here?

Her Grace will serve the natgeotsang herself today.

You are to prepare what is written here.

Her Grace will serve it herself?

- But we have a chief royal-- - Do not talk back.

Very well. I understand.

BAEKMAJATANG, HWANGJAGYE HONDONTANG

They are both made with hens.

Can you make this side a little rounder?

Like this?

I think that's good.

All right.

We're expecting a special guest today, so I'd like to prepare something special.

Where's Cook Maeng?

Oh, well…

Here I am.

Her Grace Consort Kang will serve today's natgeotsang.

What are you talking about?

I received an order to prepare the meal

for His Majesty and Grand Prince Jesan to have after the physical examination.

Did you?

Well, this is uncalled for.

Does that mean you will be in charge of cooking?

Yes. I apologize.

Why would you apologize? We have no say in these matters.

You can do as she said then.

However, I didn't receive His Majesty's order saying otherwise,

so I'll prepare my natgeotsang as planned.

Yes, she is right.

If we do not prepare anything

and His Majesty says, "I did not command such a thing,"

we will be the ones to lose our lives.

I understand.

Cook Min, I need you to assist me.

Yes, I will.

All right then.

Shall I explain the food?

- Gil-geum? - Yes.

Today's dish is…

schnitzel.

What? What did you say?

Schni…

In other words,

it's a favorite of Koreans, regardless of their age or gender.

- Pork cutlet. - "Cutlet"?

I have never heard of it before.

Pound it to spread it thin.

- And cut through the connective tissue. - Okay.

That's it. Good.

Cut it this long and then cut it into quarters.

Good.

This is harder than I thought.

Take the meat that you flattened,

season it with salt and pepper,

cover both sides with flour,

and coat it with beaten eggs.

Since we don't have breadcrumbs,

we'll use snowflakes made with fried loose batter.

Press it down hard so it sticks.

Fry that in oil, and it's game over.

This is what we call

schnitzel.

- Shay… - Schnitzel.

- Shay… - No, "sch."

We'll deep-fry burdock to serve as a side

and make a sauce with raspberry jam.

- Do you know this famous saying? - What is it?

"Even a shoe tastes good when it's fried."

"Even a shoe tastes good when it's fried."

This is amazing, miss.

Good.

It's not ready yet.

- You have to cut it up before eating. - Oh dear.

You are going to put a knife on the table?

However small it may be, a knife on His Majesty's table

means every one of us loses our heads.

I do not think we should, miss.

The knife is threatening, huh?

Then we'll do the cutting beforehand.

You use such strange words.

What was it? "Cut tea"?

"Cotty"?

She said "cotton."

That looks good.

Her Grace Consort Kang has arrived.

Oh goodness.

Is it done?

Yes, Your Grace. The tables are set.

That will do. Well done.

How dare you look at Her Grace like that?

Pardon?

- I didn't look at her. - You dare talk back to me?

Talk back?

No. What I meant was--

Enough.

It is only natural that one cannot take their eyes off something beautiful.

This place is so crowded and messy.

I will prepare a change of clothes, Your Grace.

Let us stop by Jahongwon on the way.

- Hurry. - Yes, Your Grace.

Oh my god.

Damn her.

It was plated so perfectly.

- Let's hurry and plate it again. - Yes, miss.

So, how is His Majesty's condition?

I examined if his stomach had weakened from fasting,

but he is in good health.

However, to prevent upsetting his stomach,

he should refrain from having cold food for a while.

What if he were to take bellflower root extract

or braised black beans after a meal?

That would be an excellent choice.

What do you think, Your Majesty?

You never visit the royal kitchen, Uncle,

yet you only show concern for my health at my monthly examination.

As the Superintendent of Saongwon,

it is my duty to monitor your health, Your Majesty.

You only flaunt your title at times like this.

I will make sure to inform those in the royal kitchen.

What are you waiting for? Announce Her Grace's arrival.

Your Majesty.

- Your natgeotsang is ready. - Bring it in.

Your Majesty, I hope you have been in good health.

Your Highness, it has been a while since we last met.

Consort Kang, what is all this?

I heard about your physical examination taking place this afternoon

and hurriedly prepared your natgeotsang.

Did you make all this?

I prepared something special for both you and His Highness

with the assistance of Cook Maeng.

The other natgeotsang

was prepared by the chief royal cook and the other cooks at the royal kitchen.

Should you not have informed

the royal kitchen so you could serve just one dish?

I knew you'd get told off.

In your face.

That is what I clearly instructed them to do,

but when I arrived at the royal kitchen,

the chief royal cook's dish was already prepared.

She must have thought

my food would not be good enough.

What's this childish move?

She probably prepared a meal because I did not give a direct order.

Then you should enjoy your usual natgeotsang

and consider my humble dish a modest token of my sincerity.

I shall.

Your Majesty, it is truly admirable how much Her Grace cares for you.

Are you the chief royal cook?

Yes. She is the newly appointed chief royal cook at the royal kitchen.

You must be the Cook Yeon I heard many rumors about.

It is a pleasure to meet you.

I heard of your visit, so I prepared something special.

I hope it's to your taste.

I look forward to it.

She is a great beauty

and speaks without fear.

Taste the food.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Is this chogyetang, cold chicken soup?

It is baekmajatang.

It is a cold chicken soup made with a broth prepared by simmering

a young hen for an extended time, then finished with shredded chicken

and ground sesame seeds.

It invigorates the organs and helps fight the summer heat,

so it is almost medicinal.

I prepared it especially for you, Your Majesty.

I was told to avoid cold foods.

What is this dish, Your Grace?

That is called hwangjagye hondontang.

The bones of a yellow-feathered hen called hwangjagye

were boiled for a long time.

A characteristic of the dish

is the seasoned chicken filling wrapped like dumplings and boiled.

I prepared a soothing meal for you, Your Highness,

as you are quite the drinker.

It smells delicious.

Both dishes are made with only hen meat.

That is correct.

All things female may look different on the outside,

but they are the same on the inside.

I prepared the dishes, hoping you would consider them a lesson

that teaches you to stay away from women and focus on your duties as a king.

Wait. Is she saying I'm a hen?

How ridiculous.

That is truly commendable.

I will keep that in mind.

What is the dish

that you specially prepared for us, Chief Royal Cook?

What did you make today?

The dish I prepared today

is a German dish called schnitzel.

"Shiny shell"?

My goodness.

That is not it, Your Majesty.

It is sunchae.

You might not know what it is,

but sunchae is an edible vegetable very similar to lotus leaf.

Sunchae.

- Oh, sunchae? - Yes.

What…

What did you say this was called again?

Beef schnitzel.

"Buffed shell"?

BEEF SCHNITZEL GERMAN HOMESTYLE BEEF CUTLET

Uncle, you said it was sunchae.

To make schnitzel, you thinly pound a slice of meat,

then coat it in breadcrumbs and fry it in oil.

Dipping it in the sweet and sour fruit jam is what makes this dish a banger--

I mean, that's a characteristic of the dish.

It's full of protein, which aids the recovery of your body and mind.

As Your Majesty skipped meals for a while,

I prepared something especially tasty and nutritious with fresh beef.

Yet another strange dish.

But it will not go your way today.

- Taste it. - Yes, Your Majesty.

It looks as if our native blackberry has bloomed on top of a buchimgae.

It is truly a work of art.

The white thing on top. Is that milk?

That's tartar sauce.

It's creamy, but also sweet and sour.

If you want to eat it sweeter,

you can dip the meat in the raspberry jam on the side.

Gleamy taro and dip in jam?

Oh, raspberry…

Blackberry jammy.

Blackberry jammy.

You can dip it like this.

Dip and eat.

Dip and eat?

Stick it in deep. Dip and eat.

Do you mean like this?

Yes, like that.

How can this be?

What is this taste?

It is crunchy on the outside, but moist and chewy on the inside.

Your Majesty, that's what we call

"crunchy out, chewy in."

"Crunchy out, chewy in"?

I know what that means.

Does it not mean crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside?

Yes.

It's a short way of saying

it's crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside.

Crunchy out, chewy in.

You shorten all sorts of things. How unnecessary.

Yes, it's called SAS, Shorten All Sorts.

Why is she picking on me for no reason?

Hey, Mok-ju. I can bite back if I want to.

Your Majesty.

Your Highness.

Why don't you try the vegetables on the side?

Do you mean this?

Yes. That's burdock.

It'll cut through the greasiness of the meat.

It is bitter.

Uncle is right. It is bitter.

People tend to eat the leaves and stems of vegetables

and throw out the roots because they're bitter.

But the truth is,

the roots contain more nutrients.

It worries me that you might misjudge someone

based on their appearance

without considering their roots.

How dare you, you wench?

It is bitter,

but as you said,

it did cleanse my palate.

I will always remember the roots of the vegetable.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Shall we enjoy the food then?

Yes, Uncle.

- Please enjoy. - I will.

All right.

Gosh, it's bitter.

I will never,

ever let you get away with this.

You're ticked off, aren't you?

So don't cross the line.

You might be the most villainous woman of your time,

but I'm from the future.

I know more than you do.

That was delicious.

Watching you enjoy your meal also put me in a good mood, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, I believe Her Grace and Cook Yeon

should be rewarded greatly.

Your Grace, is there anything you wish for?

All I wish for is His Majesty's health and safety.

You are truly virtuous and wise.

Thank you, Consort Kang.

Cook Yeon, is there anything you wish for?

What I wish for?

My…

I can't mention my handbag in front of her.

Well…

Your Majesty.

Women, by nature, are easily swayed by gifts.

What is most important

is that you find out what she likes and give her that.

Tell me. What is it that you want?

Well, actually…

I get excited and happy when I see fresh, new ingredients.

All that is at Saongwon, so I'm fine.

I appreciate the thought though.

All you want are some vegetables?

As expected of a chief royal cook.

She seems to want something very big.

You're the one who wants something big.

Is that so?

No, Your Majesty.

- Really, I don't want anything. - As the Superintendent of Saongwon,

I will send you all the vegetables, whether big or small.

BEEF

People tend to eat

the leaves and stems of vegetables

and throw out the roots because they're bitter.

But the truth is, the roots contain more nutrients.

No matter the situation, she is cheerful and wise.

Your Majesty! The theme of the competition was filial piety.

Wouldn't it be unfilial

to cut off the arms of such cooks?

She was benevolent enough to save the lives

of her competitors.

She is a wise

and thoughtful woman.

TARTAR SAUCE, FRIED BURDOCK, RASPBERRY JAM

CRUNCHY OUT, CHEWY IN

The envoys will arrive soon,

so why are there so many complaints?

You should rest for a short while.

I will read the rest.

You are the most filial son.

- Oh gosh, that hurt. - Goodness me.

So tell me, son.

Is His Majesty making progress with the chief royal cook?

I am asking if the new playground you set up for him is working.

Father.

His Majesty has reached the point

where he is contemplating what gift to give her.

If he is contemplating what gift to give a woman,

it means he is besotted with her.

Since that is your specialty,

be sure to tell His Majesty the ideal gift to give her.

You want me to prepare Cook Yeon's gift…

Did something come to mind?

There is one thing the gwinyeo is desperately looking for.

What is that?

When we brought her here from the Gyeonggi Governor's Office,

she lost her bundle in Salgoji Forest.

- I found it and kept it. - A bundle?

Was there something important inside?

She was so desperate to find it,

so I thought maybe there was some gold inside.

My goodness.

"Republic of Korea, passport."

"Republic of Korea."

Republic of Korea.

The gwinyeo!

It was full of strange items.

Then it should be fine returning it to her.

At any rate, if it is something the gwinyeo is desperately looking for,

you should give it to His Majesty.

I shall. Having you point things out

is certainly helping my mind become sharp and clear again.

If His Majesty returns the handybag to Cook Yeon…

That will bring them closer.

"Handybag"?

BONGDEOKGUNG

"Handybag"?

Yes, Your Majesty.

It is what Cook Yeon is desperately looking for.

It is what she was looking for when she claimed to be from the future.

It is, Your Majesty.

How did this come into your possession?

The day after you threw it over the cliff,

I sent someone to retrieve it.

I am certain Cook Yeon will appreciate it if you give this to her.

You are quite silly.

But how did you know I had been contemplating a gift for Cook Yeon?

One glance and I know.

Thank you.

By the way, Your Majesty,

about the Ming envoys we are expecting.

What about them?

Chief Envoy Yu Kun

is said to have brought as many as three first-class cooks.

That many?

Has word of my picky taste reached that far?

It seems they are planning on captivating you

to get something out of you.

They want something?

I do not know for sure what that is yet,

but he represents the imperial Ming, so the demand must be quite substantial.

Something that could be hard for us

to either accept or refuse.

Three first-class cooks and a considerable demand?

BYEOKJEGWAN

Ask if the food is not to his liking.

He does not wish to eat it.

What?

YU KUN THE MING'S CHIEF ENVOY

TANG BAILONG MASTER OF SICHUAN CUISINE

Please try it.

What is this?

He says not to be surprised.

The tofu was sliced as thin as a thread and made to look like a blossoming flower.

This is what we eat in our great country.

Go and tell your king

that I cannot eat Joseon food.

I didn't know there was a place like this.

This is Jangwonseo, Office of Royal Horticulture.

JANGWONSEO: OFFICE IN CHARGE OF GROWING PLANTS AND FRUITS IN THE ROYAL GARDENS

This is where we grow the flowers, fruits, and vegetables we serve the royals.

Take a look.

Oh, Jangwonseo.

I read about it in history books.

The world's first greenhouse.

I don't believe this.

An apple tree.

A mandarin tree too.

This is amazing.

They smell amazing too.

Right?

Come here.

Why are you making a fuss over nothing?

It's because I've never seen anything like it.

You may feel free to use this place.

Pardon?

You need fresh ingredients

to cook more delicious food.

Is this like a free pass?

Well, I guess you could say so.

It is a gift.

A gift?

Yes.

Take a look around.

This is a pyeondo tree.

It yields wonky peaches.

It was a tribute offered by a Persian merchant,

but the fruit is inedible.

It is ornamental.

Your Majesty, this is edible.

It is unbearably astringent.

The fruit, yes.

The seeds are the good part.

Where I'm from, we call the seeds

almonds.

"All mend"?

Come this way.

This is where poisonous plants are studied.

Do not go too close.

POISON

I told you they were poisonous!

Do not touch them.

Your Majesty.

These are gochu, chili peppers!

Gocho?

I can make gochugaru now.

Do not…

Where did you get these?

A few years ago, we saved a shipwrecked westerner,

and they gave this to us as a token of gratitude.

However, they were too spicy and potent

that some even died eating them.

They are grown here to use as poison.

I heard they used this as a weapon a long time ago.

So it was really true.

This is amazing.

Your Majesty, this is a huge windfall!

A windfall?

Are you that pleased?

Totally!

My goodness.

Then,

what about this?

What's this?

I found it on the way here.

What?

What is it?

It is what you have been desperately looking for.

The handybag.

What? No way.

Is it really?

Thank you!

Thank you so much!

How did you find it?

I told you

I found it on the way here.

I'm…

I'm so happy that I can't believe it.

It is nothing at all.

What do you mean it's nothing?

This means so much to me.

Are you no longer angry then?

About what happened at Unyeongjeong…

I am sorry.

Are you apologizing to me?

Then was this gift

to make me feel better?

Yes.

That is right.

Why?

Why, you ask?

It is because…

Is he…

I have begun to see you as a woman.

It is because I am pleased with the food you prepare for me.

What?

Why did you turn away from me to say that?

Because I…

Why are you walking away from me?

- Because I… - Why…

BON APPÉTIT, YOUR MAJESTY

I'm going to go back now.

Just where does she keep saying she will go?

The taste of true Joseon food.

No!

You can't suddenly tell me to bear the weight of the country's future.

If you want to return,

win.

Joseon must lose this competition.

They are no ordinary cooks.

- Tell him - Let's win, royal kitchen!

that I also have a special chief royal cook.

I'll give you a blazing hot taste.

Subtitle translation by: Jennifer Jean Lim