Original subtitles

Forgive me for being disrespectful to you in the past.

Your Majesty.

How did you...

I took a guess.

And it has been confirmed now.

I knew it was him.

He is Kim Mun-seok, the blacksmith.

What is he doing here?

There are not many gates in the capital

that open and close with a sound this heavy.

This must be one of the four main gates that lead to the royal palace.

This smell...

My goodness! What stinks so bad?

I am in the palace.

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?

Made with gold and jade...

Only the queen is allowed to wear this.

When the Crown Prince passed away after a long illness,

a new king suddenly emerged.

That was two days after Kim Su's wedding.

On top of that,

the current king

rises to the throne,

after Kim Su disappears...

Everything has fallen into place now.

This time, it wasn't easy for me to figure everything out.

You sure are Hanyang's best matchmaker.

You do not have to be so polite with me, Your Majesty.

I would always treat you with respect, Mr. Matchmaker.

Please stand up.

Isn't it strange?

When you were a blacksmith,

those clothes suited you perfectly.

But now you look like you are in someone else's clothes.

So please forgive me for my rudeness in the past.

Of course.

By the way,

how is Gaettong doing?

Where is she right now?

I went to her house, but she wasn't there.

You know where she is, don't you?

Your Majesty.

Gaettong is...

staying with me.

Recently, an assassin broke into your home,

so I had no choice but to bring her.

An assassin?

She wasn't hurt, was she?

She is fine now.

However, I cannot guarantee she will continue to be so.

She was attacked by an unknown assassin,

and now she's about to find out that her fiancé was actually the King.

I doubt she will be unaffected.

So I suggest you consider her dead

and forget about her.

I am to blame for carrying out your marriage so hastily,

so I will take responsibility

and find a proper husband for Gaettong.

Why are you doing this, Mr. Matchmaker?

You promised she and I would become man and wife.

There must be something I could do, right?

What can you do, Your Majesty?

Even meeting me must be kept a secret for you.

That is the position you are in right now.

What do you plan to do with Gaettong?

Make her a concubine?

Nonsense.

What do you take me for?

Gaettong is the only woman for me in this world.

You know that already, Mr. Matchmaker.

I hope this will be the last time we meet.

Now that you are sitting on the throne, please be a wise king.

I'll bring her.

I'll keep her by my side.

How?

I will gain power

so that no one could dare harm her

even if I have her stay beside me.

Until then,

please take good care of Gaettong for me.

How can you trust me

and leave her in my hands?

I don't know about anyone else,

but if it is you,

I can.

Kim Su...

I can't believe he became the king.

It was better when I thought he was a jerk who ran away with the money.

Rock Head,

what's the matter?

Where the heck have you been?

I was...

I was out for a stroll.

You should have told me.

Were you worried?

Of course, I was.

You vanished into thin air

like my brother and Su did.

I was worried you were gone, too.

I am

not going anywhere.

Where would I go? This is my home.

So please,

could you let me go,

Rock Head?

I was so happy to see you I didn't even realize what I was doing.

Gaettong.

Yes?

I'd rather prefer it if that was the case.

If he was being selfish and ran off to live a better life,

I would much rather prefer that.

Then, I would just forget about him

and move on.

I wouldn't mind some soybean sprout soup.

It's your turn to prepare breakfast tomorrow.

That would certainly cure my hangover.

Is that an order?

Look, Mr. Matchmaker!

Did you send for me?

I hear you have been going out of your way

to show Seo-yoon around Hanyang.

Take good care of her just until her wedding preparations are over.

It is not a big deal at all.

I had been feeling a little lonely, but I now have someone to talk to.

I am enjoying it.

You haven't changed a bit.

You still say things you don't mean without batting an eye.

I took after

my excellent teacher, who sits before me.

I reckon you're ready for a bigger assignment now.

The queen selection process will start soon,

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

Chun-sim, I want you to find me an information broker.

Yes, My Lady.

I hear there is one in Wolhyanggwan who collects all sorts of rumors.

I will bring him to you, My Lady.

CHOE JI-YEONG

With this beautiful, young lady right under your nose,

why look further?

She does laundry at a kisaeng parlor.

How dare you suggest her to my dear son?

Councilor Kang put out a candidate for him to marry.

Mother.

Why do you think she did all that laundry?

Ji-yeong only chose to do it so that I could focus on my studies.

Is she the one who supported your studies?

I raised you alone, working as a seamstress

and made sure you came in as jangwon in your literary exam.

I just want you to marry a decent lady.

Is my concern for you as your mother so hard to understand?

Mother, just this once.

Please let me have my way just this one time.

If you insist...

You may enter.

From now on, our family's marriage

will be carried out by this new matchmaker.

-Who is she? -Be quiet.

Who is that matchmaker?

Her name is Sawol.

Also known as the Queen of April,

the hottest matchmaker who was fully booked every April.

Goodness, look at all these people.

-Don't cut in line! -I got here first!

Line up, please.

I mean, that used to be the case, back in the day.

After Big Sis came along, she became the Disaster of April.

-Why? -He opposed every match

Sawol predicted to be successful.

Anyway, we went through hoops for this opportunity,

but Sawol took it from us. What are you going to do, Big Sis?

Who says she can take it from us?

So what is your plan?

"Bend the chimney or remove the fuel."

To prevent a fire, you either have to bend the chimney

or remove all firewood.

Goodness gracious.

He always finds complicated quotes for much simpler sentences.

So what exactly are we to do?

Are you saying that we should get rid of the threat itself?

Which means,

we'll get Lady Kang married before Scholar Lee could get to her.

That's right.

If Lady Kang finds another candidate to marry,

Scholar Lee won't have to do it no matter how much his mother wants him to.

I never lost faith in you. I knew my Big Sis

-won't let Sawol take it from us. -Yes, you did.

First of all,

we must find out more about Lady Kang.

From her family background to her personality, taste--

-That might prove hard. -Gosh, you startled me.

I have sent some men out to gather information,

but it will take a few days because she is from Jeonju.

I also heard Scholar Lee's mother is already preparing to send the napchae.

NAPCHAE: WEDDING PRESENTS

If the napchae letter reaches Councilor Kang first,

this marriage will never happen.

Go bring a kisaeng that looks most ladylike.

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

Gaettong could do it, playing a noble lady.

She has a nice figure.

She also has a ladylike face.

Everyone will be fooled if she keeps her mouth shut.

You have a tendency to overestimate Three Months' capabilities.

Just go bring a kisaeng.

Don't you know that noble ladies and kisaengs are like enemies?

If you insist,

I'll do it for you.

My goodness. You're being silly too?

Come on, I even fooled you the other day.

My Lady, your beauty is out of this world!

You said my beauty was out of this world.

Just putting on a skirt doesn't make you a noble lady.

I'm in.

Three Months is vicious. I'm against this idea.

Until when are you going to call me Three Months?

I am a professional matchmaker now.

Have some faith in me.

I won't get caught this time.

It's your decision.

Are we doing this or not?

And now she's about to find out that her fiancé was actually the King.

I doubt she will be unaffected.

So I suggest you consider her dead

and forget about her.

Then I won't be able to live.

Remember Lord Kim's daughter whose marriage we arranged a few years back?

It's one of the dresses she used to wear before she got married.

By the way,

what about Gaettong's status?

How are we going to turn her into a noblewoman so fast?

I can take care of it.

YUN DONG-SEOK

YUN SU-YEON

DECEASED

May I

borrow your name?

Now, for our biggest problem...

What made you go along with this idea?

Stop what you're doing.

Do you want some, Mr. Matchmaker?

Put that down. Stand up and follow me.

But I'm in the middle of a meal.

Let me finish this first!

Yes, let her finish her food first.

They say rice is better than the song of birds.

It's "bread",

not "rice".

We have to turn her into a lady within two days?

That would be a mirage.

A "miracle", not a "mirage".

Forget it.

I was sure it was a "mirage".

Is this for me?

Let me try it on.

Are you sure you can do this?

How hard can it be?

There are countless things to learn.

But as long as you master the basics,

you will be able to trick people for a little while.

Let me prepare you for the tea ceremony first.

Watch me, and do as I do.

Lift your cup with your right hand.

Support it with your saucer using your left hand.

When will you ever become a noble lady?

Come sit over here.

Try lifting the cup again.

Like this?

Hold your cup with your right hand.

Support the cup with the saucer using your left hand.

Like this?

Yes.

Now drink your tea slowly,

you will finish a cup in two or three sips.

When the host says, "Let's drink our tea,"

you say, "Yes, let's do that."

Try it.

Let's drink our tea.

Yes, let's do that.

Are you unhappy about something?

Put on a smile and be more gentle.

Like this?

Like this.

This is too difficult.

I can't say anything like this.

You should not say too much.

All you have to say is, "Yes, let's do that."

Nothing else.

Yes, let's do that.

To refuse something,

you should say, "I appreciate your offer, but I am fine."

I appreciate your offer, but I am fine.

Keep a smile on your face even when you refuse something.

Seriously?

Why should I smile when I don't like the offer?

"I appreciate your offer, but I am fine."

I appreciate your offer, but I am fine.

Your feet should not point outward. Keep them straight.

Make sure your dress does not flutter too much.

Your feet should neither touch this line nor step too far away from it.

Keep your back straight.

Hold your head straight too.

My head?

Gosh.

Turn around.

What is this?

This will turn you into a noble lady.

All right.

Mr. Matchmaker.

These...

What about them?

Never mind. You don't have to know.

Why are you working so hard?

It's not like you'll get a prize if you do well.

I won't let any bride

get hurt again.

You promised she and I would become man and wife.

I'll bring her.

I'll keep her by my side.

Gaettong.

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

I can make that happen.

Do you expect me to do this again?

No, thank you.

Even if you can live comfortably for the rest of your life?

But how will I find my brother?

What about Su?

I won't be able to meet those two if I become someone else.

I never even changed my name

even while being chased so that those two could find me.

My brother said he would come find me.

He promised me.

So what I want

is to continue living as Gaettong, like I am right now.

Yes, you are Gaettong.

You will never be a noble lady.

My goodness.

Have you been eating and cleaning with these hands, Three Months?

Ladies don't have nails like these.

It must have been hard.

Don't be ashamed of these hands.

They have worked sincerely.

What do you think? Doesn't it smell lovely?

Your body should smell better for you to be at a better place.

Thank you.

Come on out.

Yeong-su, you underestimated your talent.

I realized I was much more talented than I had thought.

If we succeed this time,

you better pay me twice my regular wage as an incentive.

What is it? It wouldn't work?

It's not bad.

You and your cranky attitude.

Do a turn for us, will you?

They even have their own rules for who sits where.

Usually, Lady Kang, the daughter of the Left State Councilor

will sit in the center.

Then the others will sit according to their ranks.

That means you should sit at the way end.

Why should I?

If my butt gets there first, it's my seat.

Thank you for joining our tea ceremony.

May I offer you some tea then?

-Yes, please. -Yes, please.

-Bring us the tea. -Yes, my lady.

I was planning on offering jakseol tea,

but the scent of the lotus was so lovely that I changed my mind.

Why are you telling me that now?

Since I just heard now.

I only taught her how to have warm tea.

My hand feels a bit uncomfortable,

so can someone pour the tea for me instead?

It seems like we have a new member today.

How about asking Lady Yun

to do it for you?

Can you come help me?

Me?

Before you pour the tea,

it can be cooled shortly for a better aroma.

Why are you pouring cold tea into the sugu?

SUGU: A BOWL USED TO COOL OFF HOT TEA

At the tea ceremony where I usually attend,

we do this to bring out a better aroma.

Now, let's drink.

One sip,

two sips,

and savor the aroma while drinking.

The sammyo is exceptionally balanced.

To describe the taste of the tea,

say, "The sammyo is well balanced,"

and you won't need any other words.

What does sammyo mean?

Sammyo refers to the color,

flavor, and taste of tea.

Prepared in Lady Yun's way,

the tea has a wonderful aroma.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

It has only been 15 minutes.

I know that.

You seem to spend more time here than at the kisaeng parlor lately.

That's because more interesting things have been happening around here.

Look at yourself. You seem like

an anxious parent who sent his child off to the village school.

What do you mean, a parent?

It's just that I've been asked a favor.

Let me ask you something. Say a man entrusts

his fiancée in another man's hands.

What does that mean?

What lunatic would entrust his woman to another man?

Are you seeing a woman?

I'm talking about a client.

Flower Crew Rulebook chapter six.

"A client's information

must not be disclosed to a third party."

According to the rule, I cannot tell you more.

I didn't know I was considered a third party.

In any case, there are two possibilities.

One, he believes that the other man is very trustworthy.

Two,

he thought there is absolutely no chance that his lady will fall for the man.

The former is highly unlikely unless the two men are real siblings.

Hence, the man must have been so extremely unattractive as a man

that he could even be trusted with another man's woman.

I hardly think that would be the case.

Think again. It is very much like leaving a cat to a dog.

No matter how long they are kept together,

nothing ever happens between them.

Mother.

I know you won't be happy with this.

You told me to give this to the one I love,

so you would wonder why I still have it.

But the thing is,

I think it will take some time

for this to reach her hands.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

The Commandant of the Palace Guards

will be sent to Gyeongsang Province as the Provincial Army Commander.

PROVINCIAL ARMY COMMANDER: JUNIOR 2ND-RANK MILITARY OFFICER

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

Do not concern yourself with His Majesty for we will look after him.

You may leave.

It is a long way to Ulsan, so you better hurry up.

Eunuch Jang.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Please

adjust my attire.

I hope you remember

what I told you, Your Majesty.

Please

take care of yourself.

Return safe and sound,

Commandant.

I'll make sure I do that,

Your Majesty.

Come back soon,

Father.

Even if he was born to be the king of beasts,

a toothless tiger

is nothing but a big cat.

This book seems very dear to her. I'll see what's inside.

THE CHIEF OFFICER'S LOVER

So this little guy was her secret lover.

What are you doing?

Nothing much.

That book.

Doesn't it belong to my cousin?

Hand it over. I must check.

No. I appreciate your concern, but I am fine.

"I appreciate your concern, but I am fine"?

Yes, I really am.

So do not concern yourself with it, and be on your way.

Give it to me.

Are you all right, my lady?

How dare you. Do you know how expensive this dress is?

Do not forget. You must not cause any trouble.

Gosh, I can't cause trouble here.

I'm so sorry!

Step aside.

Will you take responsibility for this?

Yes, I will.

All right. Now we just wait for a while.

The stain is completely gone, isn't it?

However, that does not mean she can undo her mistake.

Hey, why are you so cranky on this happy day?

The stain is completely gone. It looks brand-new!

Yes, she's right. It truly looks brand-new now.

Everyone makes mistakes once in a while.

Please have some mercy and forgive her just this once.

-Yes, you should. -Yes, you should.

She says she will forgive you.

It's your lucky day.

Thank you, my lady. Thank you so much.

Goodness, you have a heart of gold.

Isn't she so kind?

-This is truly fascinating. -How clever.

The Chief State Councilor's power is growing each day.

With the Commandant of the Palace Guards sent away,

there is no one to stop him now.

Therefore, we need a new player as well.

How about Lord Yun Dong-seok?

Lord Yun Dong-seok?

I haven't heard that name in a while.

However, he has been a recluse

ever since he resigned several years ago.

No one knows where he is

or what he is up to.

That's why

we have to look for him.

Move over!

-What do you want? -Move.

What on earth is this about?

Hey, you.

Can't you see we got here first?

You old geezer, don't you know the rules?

Move over, I said.

Let me sleep, will you?

Who are you? How dare you ignore me?

-Do you want to get kicked out? -Goodness.

Who am I?

I'm the owner of this house, you idiot!

So, just shut your mouth

and go back to sleep.

Gosh.

Move!

Get out of my way!

Gosh, I'm tired.

Isn't she incredible?

She isn't fussy like the girls in the city and is so open-minded.

It's not that she is open-minded. She is simply inelegant.

Isn't that the hair ribbon we saw?

-The one that handsome man picked out. -I had a great time.

Thank you for today.

Take care.

My Lady.

The red hair ribbon looks good on you.

He gave it to that girl?

Let's go.

Mr. Matchmaker!

Look what I got.

Your Majesty, I couldn't find the hairpin anywhere.

It's the only thing my mother left behind.

You must help me find it.

When the court ladies took out the laundry this morning,

they must have taken it too.

-Let me go ask them. -I'll go myself.

Your Majesty.

Who cleaned my bedchamber today?

By any chance...

Are you looking for this?

How did you...

I found it while sorting things out.

It looked very precious, so I kept it aside.

Thank you.

It must be

very precious to you.

It's for someone very dear to me.

Someday

I'll give it to her in person.

All right. It's your turn now.

You three are known as the best matchmakers in Hanyang.

Show me your skills.

I think it'll be fun.

Let's do it.

Three Months, I hope our skills are not too intimidating for you.

KANG SEO-YOON

You won't live much longer like that.

Are you talking to me?

Yes, you fool.

The man your parents chose for you will destroy your family.

-Oh, my. -Your whole family will be exterminated,

and you will see no offspring.

Your wedding shall be your funeral.

Is that so? My goodness.

What am I to do?

What else?

You must avoid your misfortune.

Pray with all your devotion at the shrine day and night.

If you do, an important person

will visit from the southeast, and will lift up your family.

Take it.

Unless you want to get soaked on your way back.

-Get soaked? -Get out.

Okay.

You're not only beautiful

but also brilliant at acting.

You flatter me.

Well done.

Thank you.

Let's go.

Samwol, let's go take a look at those flowers.

Will it really rain?

Please, may my wish come true.

Please, may my wish come true.

Please,

may my wish come true.

I beg of you.

Please,

make my wish come true.

You must have a desperate wish.

Pardon?

Pray with all your devotion at the shrine day and night.

If you do, an important person

will visit from the southeast, and will lift up your family.

THE CHIEF OFFICER'S LOVER

A group of matchmakers called Flower Crew

arranged Lady Seo-yoon's marriage.

Flower Crew?

Darn it.

Councilor Ma.

It seems that your son got me.

Isn't this it?

The groom's family

would like to

send a napchae to Lady Choe.

-Yes! -We did it!

Hey, what are you doing?

-Can we finally have some meat now? -Yes, we can.

Get off me!

I can't believe it.

This is Kkultteoksoe's hideout.

I thought he'd ran far away,

but he is still hiding within the capital.

A few days ago, the paper shop owner

saw him while shopping for supplies.

Thank you.

Do you still think we should keep it from Gaettong?

There were some people who tried to kill her before.

We can't be sure they aren't from his gang.

For now,

I'll check whatever I can.

You are...

His Majesty let a girl into his bedchamber?

Yes.

He didn't send away the court lady who showed up at his bedchamber.

See? I told you I was right.

Where else would he rely on

other than a woman in his lonely palace?

That darned king.

Why couldn't he send someone more talented?

What kind of warrior is so clumsy?

Tell your master that the wedding will never take place.

It's me, Gaettong.

Gaettong?

That hurts.

What are you doing here?

Did someone threaten you for not accepting his offer?

I asked you what you're doing here.

Because this concerns me too.

Why did you leave me out?

It's dangerous. Go back.

I'll stay no matter how dangerous it is.

We're a team.

We're family, aren't we?

I thought you said Kim Su was your family.

My Su is, of course.

But so is Flower Crew now.

"My Su," my foot.

How lucky you are to have such a big family.

Anyway, since we're a team,

we should stick together for good or for bad.

Don't even think about ditching me.

Hae-si!

HAE-SI: 9 P.M. TO 11 P.M.

It's almost injeong. The guards will start their patrol soon.

INJEONG: 10 P.M. CURFEW

Follow me if you don't want to spend the night in jail.

Thank you for returning the hairpin,

but you should leave now.

I already have a woman I love.

I cannot give you what you want

now or at any time in the future.

What do you want me to do first?

My father worked at the village school,

so I naturally learned

how to read and write as a child.

I am sure

I will be of help to you.

Let me be

your nighttime friend, Your Majesty.

Would you

turn that down as well?

What did you say your name was?

It is Se-a, Your Majesty.

Se-a.

All right, Se-a.

Thank you.

I'm sure you'll be a good nighttime friend.

The Chief State Councilor

will get rid of you soon?

Then I'll have to stop him.

Rather, abandon me.

-Pardon? -You must reassure them.

Make them believe that you're all alone.

To do that,

you must abandon me.

Make yourself comfortable.

You're waking those rats from sleep.

Since you're a woman, I'll let you sleep there.

Is it because you're scared?

I'm only being considerate to you.

Don't complain later that your back aches or something.

The rats weren't the problem.

Hey, you.

How could your sleeping habits be so...

Now shall we go meet the real swindler?

So tell me who they are if you want to live.

Where is he?

Why is she running such an errand? Don't you think it's odd?

Now that you came all the way here,

I guess it's your turn to talk to me.

I don't want to. I'm not doing it.

What if everyone becomes miserable because of me?

Since you took my luck, nothing bad will happen.

I want you to report everything

His Majesty does in detail from now on.

Forget that blacksmith now.

Just tell me you don't want to look for him.

He is...

Subtitle translation by Min-jin Kim