Original subtitles

ALL CHARACTERS, PLACES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND INCIDENTS

PORTRAYED IN THIS DRAMA ARE FICTITIOUS

Let us begin.

-I will go look into it. -No.

I will go myself.

Oh, my!

Ouch!

No, well...

-I mean-- -Come here, you!

Wait.

You little...

Be quiet!

Hold on...

Dong-ju,

what are you doing here?

Well...

I was just getting my hair trimmed.

Yes, I was trimming her hair.

You did not trim it. It looks to me that you just ruined her hair.

Lady Kim, what is wrong with your face?

Dong-ju said that she will put on makeup...

We heard a man's scream coming from here.

Is it...

Sorry, I accidentally poked her with the scissors.

Was that you, Dong-ju?

It really hurt.

I am so sorry, Dong-ju.

How about I take you to our room and put some ointment on it?

Sure, why not?

Please excuse us.

Oh, my.

Let me go!

Follow me.

Hold on.

Darn.

Do you not remember me?

I saved you when we were in Hanyang.

You were cross-dressed, too.

What will Madam Chun say when she hears?

Did you follow me all the way here from Hanyang?

No, it is just a coincidence.

I was just as surprised.

I did not expect to see a man's robe and a headband in a kisaeng's room.

And I have seen them before.

You said you did not go through my stuff!

I did not!

It saw them by accident.

-Why you little... -Stop.

Dong-ju?

Have a great evening.

-Gosh. -Hey.

-Gosh. -Gosh.

Are you sure you checked all the nearby islands?

Yes, Your Majesty.

We searched once again, but found no such man.

You could not find anything peculiar?

We did find something odd.

There was an island where only women live.

Only women?

It is quite chilly.

Are you out on a night stroll?

It is not that cold for a walk yet.

But it may be cold for our young Grand Prince Yeongchang.

Are you not cold, my little brother?

I am not cold,

Your Majesty.

You have to be careful at all times.

You do not want to catch a cold, do you?

Unfortunate events are bound

to occur without a warning.

Let us go.

Are you sure you saw a man here?

He was wearing a black mask, so we could not see him properly.

We would be in serious trouble if he saw anything.

I doubt he saw anything

because he cannot enter the shrine.

He may try to sneak in again, so stay extra vigilant.

Yes, my lord.

Is something wrong?

No, not at all. Let us begin.

His Majesty is growing insecure because of Grand Prince Yeongchang.

Yes.

Ever since His Highness' passing, the crown prince title is up for grabs,

so no wonder he is so insecure.

His Majesty is killing everyone around the Grand Prince for treason.

One of us could be next.

Before the crowning--

I wanted to wait until the Grand Prince is older,

but we are running out of time.

What are you going to do, then?

We are going to move up our revolt.

You are supposed to meet your beloved mistress here?

-Yes. -I see.

Looking like this?

You had to cross-dress?

When my mistress' husband passed away,

the family forced her to kill herself to build a monument to her chastity.

So, we ran away together.

But we were being chased and ended up going separate ways.

Still, there are so many people after me

that I had no choice.

When is your mistress coming?

Soon. In a couple of days.

In just a few days. I promise.

I am going to leave as soon as I meet her.

Indeed.

How could I have even thought

of being sisters with this scamp?

I told you I cannot be your older sister.

But calling me a scamp is a little mean, do you think not?

I did take good care of you all along.

You took care of me?

Yes, perfect.

Oh, my.

You touched my back!

Hey! You asked me to scratch it.

You should have said no!

-You touched my-- -Your what?

See? The more we talk about it, the more awkward it gets.

So, let us just not talk about it and hold on for a few days.

I will disappear like the wind.

I promise you.

I am sorry for everything.

That being said, I will sleep outside tonight.

Absolutely not. You cannot go out.

Stay here.

I told you that I love my mistress.

Are you out of your mind?

What are you going to do? People think you are a woman.

What do you mean?

Stop treating me like I am crazy.

While you are here,

do not dare to think about leaving my sight, okay?

You are saying, we are going to share the same room?

Lady Kim.

You keep denying it,

but you sure act like a scamp, do you think not?

I am on my way to the bathroom.

Okay, I will go back inside.

Damn it, I have to go back.

Do you ever sleep?

No, I do not.

I am going to watch you all night.

Men who secretly enter a village of women?

They are behind all of this

and one of them ordered to attack my family?

Are they planning a revolt or something?

But why would they attack my family?

She is right. It was very unlikely of us.

Who gave us such orders?

Only our boss knows the answer to that.

They receive orders from their boss,

but they do not know anything in detail.

How unnecessarily organized they are.

BREWERY

In order to figure out who they are,

I have no choice but to approach those women.

Last night, that pervert

was in fear of getting caught

so he ended up entering our kisaeng house.

To our kisaeng house?

Oh, my.

Do you really think he would have done anything bad?

I mean it.

The man entered the village a few days ago

and got beaten to a pulp and kicked out.

But that didn't knock some sense into him.

What a despicable scamp.

That is why Madam Chun and Vice-Curator Yeon

are going to distribute a composite sketch of the man.

-A composite sketch? -So, do not worry too much.

We will catch him in no time with everyone's cooperation.

That is great.

What are you doing here?

You have not heard, have you?

-About the man-- -Later.

-Let's go, Lady Kim. -What?

She prepared breakfast for me.

She is very caring, as you can see.

I told you not to go anywhere!

You really cooked breakfast for me?

Do not get excited. I did not cook that.

But what is this seaweed soup?

There is no way you knew that today is my birthday.

-It is your birthday? -Yes.

The only thing Father told me about me was

the day I was born.

Wait.

-Are you not going to drink it? -I do not like seaweed soup.

But not enough to give it to you.

They say, a soft word turns away wrath,

but your words make wrath.

Wrath? No way.

You never know.

Look at me.

-I am-- -Exactly.

A man in a woman's clothes,

hitting on kisaengs.

-Hitting on them? -Are you really denying it?

Then what were you doing with them so early in the morning?

Does your mistress know how perverted you are?

Perverted?

I was just talking to them! Why can I not just talk to them?

Your mistress will surely believe you when you say that.

Luckily, my mistress is not twisted like someone in this room!

Dong-ju!

Enjoy your meal!

You, too.

Dong-ju.

Our dance practice is about to start. Madam Chun wants you to come now.

Okay.

Need any help? I am great at giving haircuts.

Can you not just go alone?

-I am busy. -Busy, my ass.

I told you. Do not do anything--

Do not go anywhere,

and never leave your sight. I hear your plea, but--

Do not put it that way.

Just trust me this once.

All right, let us go. I am on my way.

Dong-ju!

Stop.

Try it again. Extend your arm all the way.

More.

So this is the despicable scamp who is causing a stir

at the widow village and the kisaeng house?

Yes.

Does he not look familiar?

I am not sure. Maybe he snuck in as a customer before.

That is gross.

I will go look over the hills there.

-You... -My goodness!

So, the pervert has been found?

Apparently, a widow ran into him.

-Let us go see his face. -Hurry.

Let us go.

My goodness!

Where did you run into him?

Did you fight him off?

Is that how you got injured?

Tell us exactly what happened.

I cannot bring myself to do that.

-Come on. -Come on.

Calm down.

Did he assault you in any way?

No. It happened just now.

I was out for a walk in the hills

and the man was running to me,

so I ended up...

You flipped him over?

Then he took out his knife to fight me.

-Oh, my! -Are you serious?

I am really embarrassed as I am saying this,

but I thought I should tell you, the Virtuous Women Corps.

Where did he run off?

He ran away to the town beside ours.

Is this the man you saw?

That is him.

He was wearing a dark indigo robe

-and a hat. -And a hat.

It is the same man.

That pervert.

But he was much better-looking than that composite sketch.

No, I mean,

can I have some ink and a brush?

How dare he run away?

Well, I do not have any other time to check the hills.

Dong-ju!

Here is the thing you asked for.

Why collect good brushes and makeup

when you do not even know how to use them properly?

-And you are broke. -Mind your own business.

This was hard to get, you say?

Of course. I doubt women in Hanyang have that.

Even the court ladies in the palace would not have that.

-What is it for? -None of your business.

Tell me!

Since he has a scar on his face now, this must be how he really looks now.

Yes, the scar is very noticeable,

so you will be able to identify him anywhere.

Thank you. This will be very helpful.

Now,

we are going to visit the neighboring village.

We will go with you.

No!

It is dangerous, so stay here.

Just trust us.

I was right about you.

Let us discuss your future after I come back.

What do you mean, my place?

Join the Virtuous Women Corps

and protect the village with us!

No, I am good.

-Good luck! -You can do it!

-Get that man! -Good luck.

-Stay safe. -I like where I am right now.

Good luck!

I am really fine!

That is so funny.

How did you beat up a man like that?

A lot of my relatives were generals.

I was always scolded

for playing with wooden swords with my brothers when I was young.

I am not good at sewing, but I prefer working with my physical strength.

Are you heading somewhere?

We are going to get that pervert--

We are on our way to get some firewood.

You should go see a doctor now.

It is fine. I can just put some saliva on it.

I am quite good at axing.

Why do I not help you? Do I go that way?

-Let us go. -No, wait!

What?

Are we really getting firewood?

We cannot flock over to the next village now

and we do need some firewood.

Then I will go to catch the pervert.

It is daytime, so a lot of people will be watching. Be careful.

I have so much work to do. Can I not go today?

I am exhausted.

I do not think I will have such a chance again.

Is there another way?

Do not just stand there and watch. Let us get to work.

The trees there look good, so I will be over there.

Sure.

She is something else, is she not?

Do not be so rash.

We do need more people,

but it is not all about being strong.

Let us focus on what we should do tomorrow.

-Come to the brewery by 10 p.m. tomorrow. -Okay.

They are going to do something tomorrow night?

There is no way I am missing that.

What just happened?

I think this should be enough.

I will go and bring Lady Kim.

Sure.

We will wrap things up here.

All right.

My goodness.

Lady Kim?

Where are you?

Dong-ju!

Please help me out here.

It just keeps getting worse.

Why are your clothes off? Disgusting.

I did not take them off, I was just chopping some wood...

Hey, give me your clothes.

Are you out of your mind?

Do not get the wrong idea.

Help me out this one time, please.

I am begging you.

That is not how you beg.

Call me, Sister.

Sister, please.

Lady Kim, let us go back now.

-What do we do? -What is happening?

What is happening? Go that way.

Lady Kim, let us go!

Hey!

Let us go that way.

Lady Kim?

Lady Kim!

Hello, there.

What are you doing here?

I was here for dance practice, but it got too hot,

so I asked Lady Kim to take a bath with me.

You two are bathing together?

Yes, we have even scrubbed each other's backs many times.

She is so good at it.

That is right. She is so strong.

Would you ladies like to join us?

What?

Yes, come and join us.

No, thanks.

We have to head to the brewery, so take your time.

Okay. See you later!

Here is yours.

You put it on. I do not want to see you topless.

So,

you came here for dance practice?

What?

Right.

Why else would I be here?

I see.

Right. I guess you need to practice.

A lot.

A whole lot.

Is this really so difficult?

It looks easy, does it not?

Try it. It is harder than it looks.

Fine.

Look at you.

If you just get one move right, I will be your daughter.

Hey there, my daughter.

What was that? Did you learn how to dance?

No, I watched you practice.

You can dance like that after watching it once?

Yes, is that not how everyone learns?

I hated him, but now I hate him even more.

Do you want me to teach you?

-Are you hitting on me? -Stand up!

Stand here.

Watch me.

Give it a flick

from outside to inside.

Try it.

Yes, that is good.

Now,

let the fan rest on your arm.

And keep your left arm straight.

And take the fan inside.

Let it glide over your face.

Make a big circle

and bring it down to the side.

Turn to the left.

As you turn, raise your fan upward

and bring it to the side.

That is it.

Do not count the beats. That will only confuse you.

Try to remember your breathing instead.

Now,

breathe in as you put your left foot up.

Turn to the left.

Hey.

Hear me out.

You should really consider another career.

What are you talking about?

I do not think you should be a kisaeng.

You cannot become anything you want just because you want to.

Who says I want to?

I am not doing this because I want to.

I do not want to become a kisaeng.

I mean...

I cannot become anything I want just because I want to?

No.

You have to do some things you do not want to.

That is life.

Sorry, that was rude of me.

It is fine.

Maybe your mistress was such a good person

that she never forced you to do anything you did not want to.

I could not do anything

including things I wanted to do

and things I did not want to do.

But I am not going to live like that anymore.

I am going to do whatever I want, and whatever I have to,

just like everyone else.

Just like everyone else?

You must have had a hard time

only doing things you did not want to do.

What? Are you amazed by how I look?

It is a work of art, is it not?

What?

I thought you would beat me up or something.

Work of art, my ass.

Your clothes are all dry now. Let us go.

Wait for me!

Were you at the widow village?

She fell in the water while dancing?

Then, you must have watched her dance.

Yes, I had no choice.

-It was truly-- -Adorable, was it not?

Sure, you could say that.

You should have given her your coat.

She gets cold easily.

I fell in the water, too!

I hate being cold too.

I am sorry. Would you like some of this?

Do not bother. I am not cold.

Do not bother. I will not take it.

You are so quick.

These are really delicious,

so go ahead and hide it.

Do not share it, okay?

Lady Kim!

Did you just call me?

He is giving these to you as your birthday gift.

Happy birthday.

I am not a kid, you know.

Come to think of it, today is...

Why? Is it someone else's birthday?

No, it is nothing.

What are you doing here?

Only when I left the palace with Your Majesty during the war,

did I realize that I was conceived.

I could not eat anything,

except for these sweets

that Court Lady Kim brought me.

Your Majesty, do you remember?

You talk about it every year,

how could I forget?

Had the child lived,

do you think he would have loved these sweets, too?

He is dead. He is long gone.

Let us stop.

He was our child who had to die the moment he was born.

Why can I not miss him?

Why are you so against it?

What is her name?

Her name is Dong-ju.

She is definitely over 12.

Hey, wait!

Let me go.

It is pitch-dark outside.

Where do you think you are going?

Everyone is safe now.

I should look for Nokdu.

Do you think you can convince him?

Did you not see his face when he left?

I do not know what came over him,

but he is definitely not going to let go.

But it is too dangerous.

It will be even worse if he finds out--

He can protect himself.

And if you go out right now, you will be eaten alive by a tiger

twice the size of you before you reach Hanyang.

So, let us head inside.

Unless you want to be eaten alive.

Let us head inside.

You would not even notice if I untied this and ran away.

You are so clueless when you fall asleep.

What did you do when I was asleep?

Whatever.

I really have no interest in other women.

I should not, and I have no time for that either.

Do you love your mistress that much?

Yes.

I miss her

and want to meet her.

What I am trying to say is that you don't need to worry.

Sure.

Thank you for telling me your love story that I did not even ask for.

Hey,

turn the candles off before you go to bed. Stop wasting.

I am at the brewery, extracting malt.

What is this man?

Who are you talking about?

Nothing.

Did you see anyone suspicious?

Not at all.

What brings you here?

Is Lady Kim inside?

No, she is at the widow village.

It is dangerous for her to be out and about alone like that.

Sorry?

Where should I put this?

There is a storage right out that way.

Okay.

Why are you in this room?

Is this the wrong room?

Go that way and you will find a small door that leads to the backyard.

Right, I found it weird that you stored pots in a room.

Do I really get paid for this?

Of course.

Okay, then.

He was beaten up when he went inside the village once,

but he obviously did not learn his lesson and came back.

Apparently, he is quite perverted.

He does not care whether it is a widow or a kisaeng.

Oh, my!

Are you okay?

How did you know that I was falling?

My goodness,

-my heart fluttered. -Oh, my.

Had you been a man, I would have just...

Please.

-Stop it! -Why?

-Follow me. -Wait...

She is just lonely, so do not mind her.

Get your mind together!

-Get ahold of yourself! -Did you not see that?

Stop it!

Excuse me, where is Dong-ju's room?

That one.

It is that one over there.

I know what you are thinking,

but can we talk about it later?

You are the man who sneaked into the widow village,

are you not?

Well...

And you are still wandering around?

You should be hiding until your mistress comes.

Well...

I just...

I heard all about it. Get out.

You try to tempt any women, whether it be a widow or a kisaeng?

Hey.

Is that really

-how you think of me? -Why does how I think matter?

The villagers think you are a pervert,

and you will die if you get caught.

Okay.

I will leave.

Who are you? Why are you here?

I cannot do this alone.

Where are you heading?

Why do you care?

Do not do anything dangerous and just hide.

When your mistress comes, I will--

If anything happens to me, just pretend that you did not know.

I will say so myself.

Hey, hold on.

What are you doing?

Bye.

Why is Deul-re not here yet?

I do not know. She said that she had to check on something.

Let us start first.

This is the man we are going to kill tonight.

It is the heart of Hanyang, so we cannot make a scene.

I want one of us to go and kill him.

What a jerk.

Why is he trying to honor-kill his daughter-in-law

who gave birth to his grandson?

-I will go. -Are you leaving right now?

There is no need to wait.

-Where do we keep the suits? -Over there.

Dong-ju!

-Are you talking about Dong-ju? -Yes.

The one who courageously cut her hair.

I hear

that she is well past the age to become a kisaeng.

I would like to repent for what I have done

and make a choice that does not go against the law.

Is there anything wrong with that?

My lord,

she may be of age, but she is still...

Hey!

I am the one who gets to decide, not you.

I am a nobleman, but you are just lowly kisaengs.

If I want a woman to be mine, then you should help me.

How dare you question my choice and talk about laws?

Then

-give us some time. -No.

Are you going to bring someone and make me a fool again?

I am going to take her right now.

Did you not see? I even brought a flower-adorned palanquin.

What will you do

-if I say that you cannot? -What will I do?

This place will have to shut down,

and all of you will become slaves.

I will make sure to send you off to Jeju where the scenery is nice.

But I heard

most people die on their way there because of the dangerous boat ride.

Lady Kim?

What are you doing here?

I saw a ring in this room earlier,

and I thought I could make good money out of it.

I am so sorry.

-How much have you heard? -Sorry?

You mean, you are planning to kill someone?

You heard everything.

How unfortunate.

Will you kill me?

What if

I do it for you?

You came so fast.

I did not know you would be so happy to see me.

How dare you?

Get out. Stay in your room!

No.

What difference will it make if I avoid him now?

Listen to me, please!

Madam Chun,

I could never say this to you because I was embarrassed,

but you know how grateful I am, right?

Ever since the day you saved me from the hole when I was a little girl,

I have been thankful to you every single day.

Will you choose to come with me

or to die here?

I cannot go.

You cannot?

Yes, I cannot go just like this.

What woman becomes a kisaeng like this?

-Dong-ju! -Is that right?

That would be improper of me.

I will come back to greet you

after I get myself prepared.

You will not trick with me this time?

The fate of this kisaeng house is in your hands,

so how can I?

I knew that you were something else.

And I like the way you behave.

Send her to my annex by 10 p.m.

-Let us hear her out. -No, we should not.

It is not a bad idea.

You must be out of your mind.

Will you go and kill him?

I cannot live off of doing chores at the brewery.

I will get paid more if I kill someone, right?

And you will not use this chance to run away?

It is not like you will let me.

What is your true identity?

Have you ever killed a person?

I have watched a lot of them die.

I am the only one who can support my ill parents.

As long as I can earn enough money,

killing someone will not be a big deal.

Sure, give it a try.

We needed a new member anyway,

so we have nothing to lose.

It will be another mess to clean up if we kill her here.

Stop making that face.

What face?

As if you are seeing me

-for the last time ever in this life. -How can you say that?

Here.

I will not die easily. Do not worry.

Hwa-su, I am leaving now.

Does Lady Kim know?

She left.

She left?

At this late hour? Where did she go?

You are right.

I let her go at this late hour.

If you really kill this son of a bitch,

you will not only get paid,

we will also let you work with us.

But if you fail,

die right there.

I need to get in the palanquin now.

so go back, you two.

That bastard!

Why did he ask you to come to such an eerie place?

Stop crying.

Mae-hyang

came back dead!

What if you...

I am not going to die. I cannot die yet.

I will give my hair to you, if that is what you want.

Hair cannot be more important than the little girl.

Hair always grows back.

Who says I want to?

I am not doing this because I want to.

I do not want to become a kisaeng.

I am Dong-ju from Yeonhwa House.

You look happy to see me,

and you look appalled at the same time.

How did you get here?

I have something to tell you.

Right now?

Yes.

It is perfect timing.

What is it?

Well,

from today,

I will be

your mother.

You are my...

What?

Mother.

Make sure to greet me every morning.

Sweetheart, what if someone hears you? You cannot call me "Hey."

You should call me "Mother."

Do you really want me to call you that?

-My goodness. -My goodness.

-I hate doing the dishes. -Then I will do it. You cook.

I will clean, you do the laundry.

-Deal. -Sounds good?

I could not just turn away.

But that was not what you promised us.

You want me to steal my father-in-law's jewelry?

I will give you three days to get it done however you would like.

-Going somewhere? -To see my mistress in Hanyang.

What a hopeless romantic you are.

It is so nice to be alone.

It is perfect.

Did you happen to see a widow

who has sassy eyes, a sharp nose, and plump lips?

Subtitle translation by Min-sun Kim