Original subtitles

Goodness.

Should I just beg for his forgiveness?

He can be mean sometimes,

but he's not that cold-blooded.

You say you don't trust what can't be seen,

but it seems you only choose to see what you believe.

I already knew you were a prick,

but you're heartless, too!

Why did I say that? I'm such a fool.

I'm just too honest.

I really need to think twice before saying anything like that!

Goodness!

What do I do now?

-Drink up! -Okay.

-It's my treat! -All right.

Don't overdo yourself.

-I sold everything today! -Really?

-He sold everything. -Can I get you some more?

-Bring us some more chicken. -Sure.

-Chicken. -Innkeeper!

-We have plenty of food already. -Drink up.

That's right.

-Let's eat. -All right.

Have some more.

-Drink up. -Let's go.

No, have some more.

Innkeeper!

Gosh, these are heavy.

-Hello, there! -Goodness.

Was the hunt successful?

Look at this deer! It looks meaty.

Would you like me to prep this nicely for you?

All I need is one yang.

It's a great deal.

How will you cut up this deer with such slender arms?

Forget about butchering the meat.

Do you have any pretty friends that are single?

I don't ask for much.

As long as she wears a dress, I'm good.

-Goodness. -Don't be silly.

Who would want to marry people like us?

We don't even have a place to live in.

Mother!

I know how to help you.

What? Really?

Wait until you hear it.

LIKES MONEY AND RICH MEN HAS BIG EYES AND CLEAR SKIN

All the information you need is here.

I can give you an awesome deal including the commission fee.

All right, I'm feeling good today.

One yang.

-One yang? -One yang?

-Mine! -Get your hands off!

-It's mine! -Calm down!

Here, try it.

-Really? -This is the hind quarter of Venison

that we caught in Chirisan.

-That's right. -Have some.

-Try it. -Good.

-This is amazing! -I told you!

-Here. -Bottoms up!

-You're good. -Right.

Good.

Okay, continue drawing.

-Right. -I can't make detailed strokes.

-What do you need? -"Detailed strokes"?

-Let me borrow this. -Okay.

Her nose...

All right. She has a pointy nose!

-You mean, a "high" nose? -It's pointy.

-It's high-- -All right.

She's 18.

-Eighteen? -Eighteen?

-She lives in Majanggol. -Yes.

She's a beauty. She has big eyes, and dark eyebrows.

So what you're saying is, if we pick a woman,

Flower... What was the name? Anyway, they'll help us meet her?

Right. But as I told you earlier,

it's important to let them know that I sent you.

If we do, do you receive some commission fee or something?

Not really. But I owe them some money.

-Poor thing. -Anyway,

-he might seem like a prick, but... -But?

Forget it.

Here, have another piece.

-Right. -Have another.

What?

What's your problem?

Who is this guy? Blue clothes...

Mr. Matchmaker. Why are you here?

-What do you want? -Who are you?

Let's go.

What is this absurdity? We were having a good time.

What is this absurdity?

How disrespectful.

Who are you?

Her husband!

-What? -Her husband?

What are you doing here, dear? Let's go home.

Wait.

Mr. Matchmaker.

I don't need you to save me. You need to save these men.

It's the matchmaker I told you about!

Oh, that Flower... Something.

The prick?

-I see. -Give him a drink.

-Right. -Want a piece of meat?

-Give him. -Have a drink.

Come have some.

Have a drink.

Want another?

Have some.

All right.

This deer is from Chirisan.

Are you mad?

For promoting Flower Crew without permission?

I'm sorry.

You didn't have to pretend to be my husband, though.

You are a grown-up man. Stop being sulky.

How did you draw them?

You didn't have a portrait to copy.

Everything was described in the book.

I can picture how they would look just by reading the book.

The painter couldn't make it because of personal matters.

I'll do it.

I guess you have one talent, at least.

You're doing that again! Leaving after only saying what you want.

I'll be going then.

Go where?

What if something happens to you?

What do you want me to do, then?

Su asked me to marry him,

then he disappeared.

Kang said he'd come back for me,

but I don't even know if he's alive anymore.

I don't have anywhere to go.

Stay with me.

Are you...

worried about me?

I need to hold on to you as my collateral

in order to get a high return.

...but they can't lie with their eyes.

They won't look at me straight. It means they're lying about something.

People bite their lips

when they're being hesitant.

You're lying.

I think you are worried about me.

Wait up, Mr. Matchmaker.

-Over here. -Your Majesty.

-Over here. -Over here.

-Over here. -Your Majesty.

Over here, Your Majesty.

-I'm here. -Your Majesty.

-Your Majesty. -Over here, Your Majesty.

You're quite bulky for a woman.

Your Majesty.

Councilor Ma.

Would you like to join in?

You need to rule the country as the king.

Why do you not get involved in the politics?

You can take care of the politics, Councilor Ma.

I don't want to do complicated things.

Councilor Ma, please take care of it on my behalf, from now on as well.

I don't know if I'm qualified enough,

but I'll do my best to assist you, Your Majesty.

Very well.

By doing nothing.

No one will get hurt

if you don't do anything.

But at the same time, you won't be able to protect anyone.

I have to protect them.

How can I do that?

Don't let them know your intentions.

Start by hiding what you're thinking,

so the enemies don't see you as a threat.

Gaettong.

Wait for me.

Don't tell Father, but I'm not taking the exam today.

-Why not? -Because

I'm going to become a matchmaker. To help people find their love.

Like that couple I helped.

Pretty.

Ma Jun.

You're the eldest son in the Ma family.

You need to devote your life to the country.

Remember. You must pass the exam with top-grade as jangwon.

Yes, Father.

I'll be going then.

Jun!

-Oh no! -Jun!

No...

No.

Jun!

No way!

Good morning, matchmakers.

You...

Did you really let Three Months live here until she wants?

When did we start to provide a room to our employees for free?

I'm okay with it.

I'm not staying for free.

When I get my payment, I'll pay rent every month.

You heard her. Satisfied?

We'll be arranging the marriage of Scholar Lee as planned.

Find more about the lady he is seeing to avoid any future problems.

-And you-- -We can't!

What about that lady?

We're going to break those two up?

Did you hear that? This apprentice dares to talk back at you.

Listen up.

We need to find a fine woman for Scholar Lee Hyeong-gyu.

That's the only way to save our business.

But he even goes to the kisaeng parlor just to see her from afar.

That means he's not over her.

-So please-- -Then try convincing him

yourself.

Me?

You said it yourself.

That we should do our best to find a perfect match no matter how hard it is.

If you can make him change his mind, we'll consider denying his offer.

Really?

Three Months. Why don't you leave too if you fail to do it

within three days?

If she succeeds within three days,

how about we recruit her as an official matchmaker?

-Fine! -Okay!

I'll make sure to bring him. So keep your promise!

Her job is on the line. How can she be so cheerful?

Myeong-wol.

I heard there's a woman who collects the laundry here.

Do you happen to know who she is, and where she lives?

No, I don't really...

Okay. Then I'll have to ask Gye-yang.

You don't have to.

I'll find out where she lives.

Do you know where that kisaeng parlor's laundry girl lives?

I don't know.

Outside the city?

Outside the city? I know!

Upper part of town, outside the city.

Upper part of town, outside the city.

Thank you.

The most important matter is to figure out who to place as the Queen.

There's no one suitable for the position.

All possible candidates

already got married after you became the queen.

How is the investigation of Crown Prince's murder going?

The Royal Investigation Bureau

will report that it was the bandits' doing and conclude the case.

We already have someone ready to take the blame himself.

It'll be over soon.

You shouldn't be wasting time like this.

Go talk to Councilor Kang or something!

"Councilor Kang"? Why would I?

How can you be so relaxed?

What if Councilor Kang's daughter becomes the queen?

You've only seen her once when you were little.

This is Seo-yoon, your cousin from Jeonju.

Ji-hwa! It's been so long.

Long-time no see, Seo-yoon.

She will be staying with us while she prepares for her marriage.

So take care of her, and make her feel at home, okay?

Show her around the city too.

Yes, Father.

-Look at this. -It's so pretty.

Goodness, everything is so colorful.

I love it here.

They're all the same.

They're not all the same. They use good quality silk here!

They're so pretty!

I want to buy everything here.

Look at this one.

Look at the colors. They're beautiful.

Goodness!

Look at this ornament.

It looks so fancy and pretty.

-Oh, my. -Do you like it? It suits you.

-How much is it? -It's two yang, My Lady.

Are you getting this for me as a gift?

-Are you okay? -Yes.

Thank...

Thank you.

Wait. Have we met before?

No, we haven't.

I'm sure we've met somewhere.

Try to remember.

My face can't easily be forgotten.

Look closely.

My, my.

Is every man in the city that handsome?

I wonder if he's married.

How could he get married with that kind of attitude?

These ones are popular these days.

Do you need hair ribbons for marriage ceremonies these days?

-Sometimes. -I see.

Will you pick one already?

Can I borrow you for a second?

Borrow me?

My Lady.

The red hair ribbon looks good on you.

When asking someone for help,

you should wait until you hear an answer.

I had to talk to you to hold on to you.

Oh, my.

Let's go, Seo-yoon.

Yes, let's go.

Goodness.

This one is better.

You're serious about picking the best one. Who is it for?

-I'll take this one. -Yes, sir.

Do you like the tea?

Your place looks much better than the last time I was here.

What brings you all the way here?

How about we become in-laws?

Which of your sons are you talking about?

Your eldest son, who have been killed by your own hands?

Or your second son, who moved out

three years ago to become a mere matchmaker?

Would you accept my offer if I make Hun move back in?

Listen, Bong-deok... No, Councilor Ma.

You shouldn't be too greedy.

Are you that scared my daughter might become the queen?

You're the one being greedy.

Internal Quarters is in charge of selecting the queen, remember?

And still, what is making you so anxious?

I just...

wish to join forces with my old friend.

To root me out later, you mean.

Watch where you're going!

-You are... -Our matchmaker will surely find

someone perfect for your son.

What brings you here?

I have to ask you one thing.

You said you're okay with anyone your mother likes.

Did you really mean that?

Yes.

What about her?

Are you really okay with breaking up with her?

I don't know what you're talking about.

Don't come back here again.

I'll see you again soon.

I knew it wouldn't be that easy.

Don't expect me to give up.

My job as a matchmaker depends on you, Scholar Lee.

You're here.

It's been a long time.

I'm Ma Hun, the matchmaker.

Yes, it's been long indeed.

We met a few times at your house back when you were little, yes?

You were such a smart little boy when you were young.

Who would've thought you would become a famous matchmaker?

Right, Councilor Ma?

I called him to get some help with my niece's marriage,

and I had to wait three days.

You must be very happy, Councilor Ma.

For having a son who is this famous.

I should leave.

It was nice seeing you, Councilor Ma.

Sorry for wasting your time. You must be busy.

Let's get inside.

Did you do this on purpose?

I'm not that malicious.

I invited you to talk about the jangwon of the exam, Lee Hyeong-gyu.

I would like to make a marriage offer.

So you can bring the young Confucians to your side

since he's the jangui, I assume.

JANGUI, SIMILAR TO MODERN DAY'S STUDENT PRESIDENT

You've always been smarter than your brother.

If only you were not Councilor Ma's son,

I would've wanted to have you as my son-in-law.

It wouldn't have happened either way.

Is my daughter not good enough for you?

You would want someone with good looks, who is from a councilor's family,

and he would have to score in the top three on the exam.

Even the best matchmaker

wouldn't be able to find someone as perfect.

You and your father have one striking similarity.

You both make it unbearable to have a long conversation with.

I'll ask Scholar Lee's family

if they have any interest in this offer.

The red hair ribbon looks good on you.

He must be the pimp of a kisaeng parlor.

My Lady!

Councilor Ma was here a while ago with a marriage offer.

It was between you and his second son.

Councilor Ma?

Chun-sim. Find out everything about him.

About your fiance, My Lady?

I would have to find out more before I decide to call him that.

I'll be right back.

Really? Councilor Kang's niece?

Sis. The luck is on our side.

Hey, Three Months. Why don't you give up already?

Then I won't fire you right away.

Is Little sis not done with his job yet?

I found out who she is.

Name. Choe Ji-yeong.

Scholar Lee and Ji-yeong have been family friends since their childhood.

They promised to marry each other three years ago.

I'm sorry to make you go through this because of me.

Don't say that.

It won't be too long.

I'll pass the examination, and grant you a better life.

Lady Choe worked hard to help Scholar Lee. She collected laundry,

and did sewing jobs too.

Then he passed the exam as jangwon,

and started to get marriage offers from many families.

Don't even think about coming back.

Parade

for Lee Hyeong-gyu, the jangwon of the literary examination!

How can they betray her like that?

He has a bright future ahead of him.

He sure can change his mind.

And who was the one to help him succeed?

Why are you yelling at me?

So... Would you like to meet her?

I'm okay.

How are you okay?

You shouldn't give up, My Lady.

You sacrificed so much for him for three years.

I did it because I wanted to.

I don't want to hold him back.

So don't try to convince me.

I feel bad.

If our business wasn't on the line,

I would've wanted to help them reunite.

They both said they're okay with it.

I'm okay.

I'm okay, Hun.

Now that we've talked to Lady Choe,

let's proceed as planned.

What do you mean by that?

Can't you see?

They're both not over each other.

Give me some more time. I'm going to convince Scholar Lee.

Hey, where are you going?

You should go to bed.

After I'm done with this one.

The murder of Crown Prince...

That's my deceased half-brother, yes?

It says the bandit boss that killed Crown Prince have been arrested.

They're asking...

for you to punish him.

A bandit...

dared to kill this country's crown prince?

Lady Kang

would be the most suitable match for Scholar Lee.

But the woman he's in love with...

is Lady Choe.

Is this what you meant by that?

I thought you meant

that we should do our best to find a perfect match

no matter how hard it is, and even if it pays little.

I thought that was what it meant.

I'm okay, Hun.

As long as they're happy, I'm happy too.

How can you tell that they'll never change?

Their affection will be lost before long, and their feelings will change.

Anybody there?

Anybody there?

Oh, we're not open yet.

-Come back at-- -How rude!

Pay your respects. This is Councilor Ma.

-Who is he? -Be quiet!

Councilor Ma.

What brings you all the way to this shabby neighborhood?

Hey...

Excuse us, everyone.

I need to talk to Hun privately.

Aren't you going to

offer a cup of tea to your father?

We only serve tea to our clients.

Not to uninvited visitors.

All right.

I apologize for everything.

Do you know what I do for a living?

I sort the lies from the truth.

Your apology was a lie.

When are you going to get over your brother's death

and come to your senses?

It was a mistake.

I lost my son. It was hard for me too.

No.

It was murder.

Please, Lord Ma. Don't do this.

He guaranteed that Jun will pass the exam.

So I have to keep my end of the deal.

You will marry the Minister of Rites to be his second wife tomorrow.

So pack your things.

-No... -I don't want to! Please...

We love each other.

We can't break up!

Lowly servants like yourselves don't deserve such thing as love.

If you keep being disobedient, I'll kill him first.

They're made for each other. They're inseparable.

Please, let them be together.

Do you even know who caused all this in the first place?

You lied about taking the examination

and left home to work as a matchmaker.

This is all your fault!

I'm okay, Hun.

As long as they're happy,

I'm happy too.

While I try to attract their attention by disguising as you,

run away with Yeo-sim, as far as you can.

This is my gift for your marriage.

You didn't even get to hold a ceremony.

Live happily together, and never break up.

This is also our own little secret, okay?

Bring both of them to me. Whatever it takes!

If you can't bring them alive,

bring their corpses!

Jun!

Jun!

Jun!

-Jun! -Goodness...

Jun!

-What happened? -Young Master Ma

was disguised as Cheol-seok.

One of our men mistook him...

Mistook him?

Mistook him?

You...

How dare you

mistake him for someone else?

Who would have thought

that he would do such a foolish thing to help some lowly servants?

If he didn't, Cheol-seok would have been killed.

Jun was killed

because you ordered to kill a servant that disobeyed you.

Jun helped them become together.

Why couldn't you just let them love each other?

Love?

And do you remember what happened to their "love"?

Your eyebrows look like blocks of charcoal.

It's been like this since I was little.

All the ladies avoid me.

Whether I draw them or not, I get rejected.

I don't know what to do.

We should plant them.

Let me borrow some of yours.

Excuse me?

What do you think? Don't you feel like you've been born again?

People were telling the truth! You're amazing.

How much do I owe you?

-Don't worry about it. -It would be two yang, up front.

Why would you do it for free? That's an amazing talent.

Give me one yang for my cut, okay?

Hey, Three Months. Who said anything about doing it for free?

No need to pay us.

But when you want to get married, make sure to come to Flower Crew.

You're too slow, Three Months. Walk faster!

I'm coming.

About what you said earlier...

Did he move out because his brother died?

No.

Jun...

You said...

you two are inseparable.

Then I'll make sure you die together.

Take her! Take her away.

Give her as a second wife, or sell her to a kisaeng parlor.

I don't need her. Take her.

Spare my life, please.

I don't need anything else. Please, spare me!

Let go of me.

Jun lost his life

for this?

A person can abandon love so easily...

when their life is in danger.

Big sis saw that happen right before his eyes.

That's why he doesn't believe in love.

How do you think you would feel

if you got betrayed like that?

What are you doing there?

Coming.

Shake off what happened to Jun,

and return home.

You're the last son

in the Ma family.

I need to borrow something.

You still need more things to borrow?

It's not a thing. It's you.

I need your feet.

Follow me outside. Come.

Step on it more strongly.

Why are you doing this in the middle of the night?

You'll never get it done that way.

Keep going.

I'll let you in a little secret.

Legally speaking, I don't exist.

My mother left me right after I was born,

and I lost my brother, my only family, while we were running away.

And he hasn't returned since.

Whenever I thought of that, I would think...

Gosh, I stepped on poop!

And it didn't end there.

I worked all kinds of jobs and saved up little by little

to finally find my long lost brother!

But I got scammed.

So I thought...

Gosh, I stepped on poop.

Gaettong.

And then, Su disappeared.

Again, I thought...

Gosh, I stepped on poop.

I was born unlucky, I guess.

So if something unlucky happened to you,

just step on it!

Step! Stomp!

Like this?

My goodness, is that all you got?

Like this. Stomp!

Step... Like this?

Gosh, this is frustrating.

Step on it like...

You're heavy.

I told you to step on it harder...

By the way, it seems like you brought all the blankets in the house.

What are we going to sleep on?

Now that you've started it, make sure to wash them clean.

Stomp hard. Stomp!

Stomp...

Stomp on them.

Didn't I tell you to behave well? You'll hurt my reputation.

How frivolous.

I found it all out.

About the second son of Councilor Ma.

His name is Ma Hun, and he's 25 years old.

He was born in the year of the Sheep.

MA HUN, COUNCILOR MA'S SON, MATCHMAKER

Anything else?

Don't be shocked.

He is Flower Crew, the famous matchmaker in the city.

You heard of Flower Crew, right?

He's the most popular matchmaker there.

He's a matchmaker?

He didn't even pass the examination?

You did have more blankets.

Are you asleep?

That Scholar Lee guy.

He's so hardheaded.

I can't seem to crack him.

He won't even let me try to convince him.

Any good ideas?

You really want to keep this job, don't you?

It's okay if I get fired.

But I do want to see Lady Choe

be happy.

About Kim Su...

Do you know why I kept rejecting his offer?

You rejected him?

He seemed so hardheaded.

If you're okay with marrying someone other than her, I can help you.

No.

It needs to be Gaettong.

But do you know why I decided to help him in the end?

I thought he was the hardheaded one,

but in fact, I was.

If you try to force someone,

they will close their hearts even harder.

Don't only care for Lady Choe's pain for being left behind.

Think about how Scholar Oh would feel for having to leave her first.

How would he feel?

Mr. Matchmaker.

Mr. Matchmaker?

How Scholar Oh would feel...

I asked for answers, but you gave me more questions!

All right, I'll go to sleep now.

What brings you here this early?

You're well-dressed, too.

I have to look neat and presentable when I'm visiting the government office.

The officers there are so old-fashioned.

I obtained a strange piece of information.

The payment for the smithy Kim Su and his father allegedly stole...

Someone came by and paid it off.

Twice the amount.

How could he get that much money

in just a few days?

Do you know how many bodyguards were protecting Crown Prince

that day?

They are all trained bodyguards. There's no way they would've been defeated

by some bandits.

Councilor Kang is right.

Someone with enough money to buy off the bandits

must be behind all this.

I ask you, please reinvestigate this matter.

-Please reinvestigate, Your Majesty. -Please reinvestigate, Your Majesty.

We can't do that.

The people are still in distress. We can't reinvestigate.

We should follow the rule and punish the culprit

as soon as possible.

Close the investigation, Your Majesty.

How can I

protect the ones I love?

I have to protect them. How can I do that?

Use what you already have.

I cannot allow that.

I won't listen to you this time.

This is a serious matter. Crown Prince, my half-brother was killed.

We have to get to the bottom of this and investigate the rebels' crime.

Only then, my brother will be able to rest in peace.

So I can't allow anyone

to overlook this matter.

Listen.

I'll leave you in charge of the investigation, Councilor Kang.

Reinvestigate the case.

I'll carry your orders,

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

Gosh, I almost pissed myself.

Are you burned out already?

I'm just taking a break.

Lovely day outside, isn't it?

Are you nervous?

You let your intentions show too early.

I never had a chance to meet my brother...

but I wanted to do something for him.

Councilor Ma

is aware of you now.

You better prepare yourself.

I am prepared.

A tiger wearing a rabbit's mask...

Is His Majesty bright, or not?

I can't really tell.

What would he be thinking?

This is good for us, though.

If not for His Majesty, the case would've been closed.

We can reinvestigate now.

It's not all good.

Because of all the talk about reinvestigating,

we couldn't discuss about selecting the queen.

That's why we should find the truth as fast as we can.

One thing can be said for certain now.

His Majesty and Councilor Ma may not be on the same boat anymore.

Then who would be the one to join by His Majesty's side?

Don't run from me.

I'm only here to deliver this to you.

It's from Lady Choe.

Please tell him

to dress in good clothing, and that I wish him a bright future.

I only hope for his happiness.

I'm not that bright, but I thought about it hard.

I guess this would be hard for you too.

She's your mother, after all. You can't cut the ties with your mother.

It must've been very hard for you

to bear such a burden.

I promise I won't bother you again.

So please, as Lady Choe wishes,

I hope you become happy.

I'm sorry to make you go through this because of me.

I'll pass the examination, and grant you a better life.

-What are you doing? -Are you done with the sweeping?

-You can leave. -You should do some work too.

Go sweep my room.

I guess he's not coming.

What changed your mind?

In my happiest memories, Lady Choe was always by my side.

And that girl helped me realize that.

I love my mother dearly,

but I want happiness for myself too.

So, Matchmaker Ma,

help me.

I'll see you soon.

We'll arrange Scholar Lee's marriage...

with Lady Choe.

-All right! -Really?

Matchmaker Ko!

-Yes! -Hey, get off!

Then I won't get fired, right?

Welcome to Flower Crew, newcomer.

I like "Three Months" better.

-Stop it. I know you're happy too! -Gosh.

What are you doing?

Call me, "Matchmaker Gaettong" from now!

I'm "Matchmaker Gaettong"!

There's someone I need to see.

It's such a peaceful night tonight.

Fine, I'll sleep.

Come out for a second.

What do you want me for?

Sit.

Turn around.

-Wait-- -Don't move.

Why can't you stay still for even a second?

Is it going well?

At least this way, people will be able to tell if you're a man

or a woman.

You didn't pick it up from the streets, did you?

It was the most expensive one, you goof.

And this.

Now you're an "authorized personnel" too.

Can I go inside right now?

You're so impatient.

This is quite nice.

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

Look at this quality. It's so fancy.

Let's talk elsewhere. Not here.

Is this enough?

Mr. Matchmaker.

Sorry I had to bring you here like this.

Are you okay?

I am.

Why are you acting so polite?

Forgive me for being disrespectful to you in the past.

Your Majesty.

How did you...

SPECIAL THANKS TO JI IL-JOO, SEO GYEONG-HWA,

LEE YEON-DOO, KIM JI-HOON

I'll bring her. I'll keep her by my side.

I'm planning to include your name in the list of candidates.

You wish to get information about the king?

From now on, our family's marriage

will be carried out by this new matchmaker.

We will disguise her as a noble lady and find out what is going on.

Have some faith in me.

I won't get caught this time.

I won't let any bride get hurt again.

While we're at it, how about you really become a noble lady?

I can make that happen.

Please forget about Gaettong, Your Majesty.

Subtitle translation by Jin-young Hyon