Original subtitles

It's aster tea.

It will warm you up.

You wanted to become a lady from a noble family

so you could get your brother back?

Is that what you're saying?

Lady Kang said

that if I get approved by everyone at her gathering,

she will let him go.

When is the gathering?

In seven days.

There was

no other way to get

my brother back.

Don't hold back.

When you're having a hard time, you tell people.

And if it's still painful, you cry.

And if that doesn't help, you wait.

You wait until it gets better.

I will stay by your side

until you are okay.

I can't believe that blacksmith was the King.

Should I leave Hanyang?

I didn't really do anything that bad.

While he's going to meet Three Months?

Is he crazy or what?

Who cares if he's of the noble class? What can he do?

Right. I should leave Hanyang...

No, I should leave Joseon.

I should find the fastest ship out of here.

What about the others?

Hey, what does it say?

MARRIAGE BAN

What does it say?

It's a marriage ban.

I guess His Majesty is finally looking for a queen.

What do I do?

There's a marriage ban.

If people can't get married, won't we go out of business?

Are you seriously worried about that right now?

You should worry about applying as a candidate.

Why would I apply as a candidate?

It is the law for all unmarried ladies

of noble families to apply as candidates.

You won't be given an exception.

And especially you, Three Months--

What is the point of applying?

Councilor Ma's cousin's daughter is going to be the queen anyway.

They have someone in mind?

We're in huge trouble. Oh, no.

What does that have to do with us?

Wait for me!

Hey, wait up.

The laws would be strict, right?

Would any extenuation be possible?

It would depend on what crime you have committed.

Extortion?

No, it wasn't his in the first place.

So it's not extortion.

Whose did you steal?

Someone quite high up.

I didn't steal anything!

Then put it back quietly

when he's not looking.

I don't want to.

Then pay for your crimes.

It seems like Yeong-su is planning on leaving Hanyang.

Should I just leave with him?

No, I have to wait until the gathering ends.

You mean the gathering held by Councilor Kang's family?

What about it?

I have to save someone.

Sisters!

Sisters, we're in huge trouble.

You don't look very lively today.

That doesn't matter right now.

There's a marriage ban.

That happened faster than I thought.

But that is not what's important. I heard they already have someone in mind.

What will we do about Gaettong?

You have a plan, right?

Mr. Ko, I told you to wait up for me.

Mr. Ko, did you do something wrong again?

What? No, it's nothing.

Don't worry, just focus on preparing for the gathering.

All right.

This is getting more and more suspicious.

That gathering, and the two of you.

It seems like you are staying here quite a lot these days.

You're usually at the kisaeng parlor at this hour.

Pal-pun's dead if Lady Kang finds out.

No, I don't really have a reason to protect him.

Chun-sim, is this better? Or is this one better?

You are already choosing what to wear when you meet him next time?

But Lady Kang.

About Pal-pun. Are you really going to sell him?

You're not, right?

Goods are only valuable when they are worth something.

What is the point of keeping a half-wit that only wastes our food?

Here.

Why did I do that?

If I tell Lady Kang, I would at least get one of her old clothes.

Pal-pun, listen to me carefully.

You should never mention Gaettong again. Got that?

Or else you and Gaettong are both dead.

No, I like Gaettong.

Gaettong is my sister.

I warned you.

This is the best I can do for you.

-Councilor Ma. -Councilor Kang.

Have you come to meet the section chief?

It's too bad.

His Majesty said that personal visits

are to be forbidden for a proper investigation.

You should go back.

Don't overdo yourself.

The queen selection will begin soon.

What will you do if you get on Her Highness' bad side? She's the commander

of the Internal Quarters.

The section chief said something similar.

I guess it is a family thing.

But I heard the section chief say something strange.

He said he changed Joseon's history with his own hands.

What history would that have been?

Councilor Ma, do you really think

I have not caught the main culprit because I do not know who it is?

If you know, you should hurry and catch them.

You will lose your chance if you keep taking your time.

That sly jerk.

I saw her from far away, so I'm not sure,

but I think I saw Gaettong at the shopping district.

She was with a good-looking man.

She was with a man?

Yes.

Well...

If I walk around the shopping district for a few more days,

I think I can run into her for sure.

But it would be hard to leave my workshop empty for that long.

If you find any new information, I will give you double that money.

Of course. I will.

All right. Yes!

I'm Choe Jong-hyeon.

CHOE JONG-HYEON

May I ask what your name is,

my beautiful lady?

Oh. My name is--

Hey, that pale man over there. Stop it right now.

How dare you try island hopping with her?

This lady already has a lover,

so go back to where you came from. Come on.

-But-- -Come on.

I am your savior. I have saved you and your family from getting killed.

Come on. Leave.

My goodness.

What has gotten into you?

What do you mean?

I have always been like this.

Lady Yun. Why are you holding

such a heavy thing like this?

Follow me. Hurry.

-What... -It is so heavy.

What has gotten into him?

Are you sick or something?

My gosh. What's wrong with him?

Don't you think you should tell the newbie now?

About the King.

And don't you think you should tell her

your identity?

If I tell her, she would get mad.

You know how she is.

You know how Gaettong is, too.

I will tell her

once the gathering ends well.

She already has a lot on her plate

because of that gathering.

How did we both end up like this?

Did you volunteer to act as the King without knowing this would happen?

You should stop meeting Councilor Kang's daughter.

You will get caught sooner or later.

How will you deal with the consequences?

I can't.

It was a promise between me and His Majesty.

Not you.

You should stop this, even if you like her.

It's obvious what will happen in the end.

Did you forget?

I don't think about the consequences

because I don't have a future.

Sisters!

Sisters, we're here.

My goodness.

Look at this.

This is all what Gaettong...

This is what Lady Yun got from men who fell for her.

CHOE JONG-HYEON

Choe Jong-hyeon, Cho Yeong-gwang,

Kim Dong-hyeon...

How could you just accept these without even knowing who they are?

I didn't accept them...

I believe we should leave now.

You're right.

I got them so we could arrange marriages after the ban is lifted.

You didn't have to throw them like that.

These men all fail.

Are you

being jealous right now?

I just did not like the names of those men.

I heard that your hiccups stop when you're startled.

You know...

About what happened yesterday...

It was my mistake.

Is that so?

I did not even realize my feelings

and it all led to this.

It was my mistake.

I should not have ignored it

or denied it.

Mr. Matchmaker.

I will do as I want now.

I will hold you as I want,

hold your hand as I want,

and kiss you as I want.

Mr. Matchmaker...

I...

This is so sudden.

I mean that I will do so

when everything is over.

This is enough for now.

Mr. Matchmaker.

First, we should save your brother.

Right.

But what is this?

This is information on the ladies participating in the queen selection.

What is this for?

I am getting five pun for each application I write and send

for these ladies.

Start writing, Mr. Matchmaker.

Me?

Of course.

The person with the prettiest handwriting in Hanyang

is right here.

We cannot ask to end the regency just with the case

of the section chief.

Why don't you accuse the section chief more severely for his crimes

and pressure the Ma family instead?

Then this time

we shall take a step back.

Are you all right, Your Majesty?

I heard you've been working all night

without sleeping since you met Gaettong.

Eunuch Jang is quite worried.

Commandant.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Did you

not hate my father?

You had to abandon your family

to protect me and my mother,

and you couldn't even get married.

I was happy.

I was happy that I was able to protect you both,

and I was happy to have a son

who was proud to have a father like me.

So Your Majesty,

don't make yourself unhappy by worrying too much.

The son I am proud of

did not grow up like that.

This will end quickly.

Stand back.

Hey. Wake up!

An assassin?

How could anyone dare to harm Jun-hyeon?

Court Lady Choe, get ready.

-I will talk to His Majesty. -Yes, Your Highness.

Just give up on him!

Are you just going to

keep letting him cause trouble like that?

Would you act the same way if it were Hun?

If anyone, even if it may be my own child,

tries to harm our family,

I will get rid of them with my own hands, no matter what.

And you are no exception, Your Highness.

Do you understand what I am saying?

Your Highness.

Your Highness, are you all right?

Your Highness.

FLOWER CREW

Things must be so easy for the King.

With one announcement, everyone lines up to marry him.

It did not seem that great to live as a King.

You talk as if you've seen the King for yourself.

I can tell even without seeing him.

All right.

Here you go.

Now we just have to tie the Dongsimgyeol knot.

"Dongsimgyeol"?

It is what we tie

when we send the letters for a marriage.

Here.

Follow my lead.

Grasp the middle of the two strings

and make three loops like this.

You cannot do anything properly.

Here.

Even your smile makes my heart flutter.

All right.

Why are you looking at me so intently?

How many ladies have you seduced like this?

You are the first.

All right. It's finished.

Why do you make such a complicated knot?

It is a knot that expresses hope of a good relationship.

It's a knot that ties two people's love together.

Why tie them?

It's like a promise to each other. To happily live together, as one.

If you tie it like this, it doesn't get loose easily.

If you tie it like this, it won't get loose easily.

That is nonsense.

Just because that doesn't come loose doesn't mean it will keep people together.

You're right.

Don't tie that knot on my letter.

Your letter?

Yes. I heard that it is the law for every unmarried lady

from noble families to send a letter as a candidate.

Well, it is just for show since there is someone chosen already.

But still, don't tie the Dongsimgyeol knot on mine.

I don't want my heart to be tied to someone I don't even know.

Do not worry.

I won't send in your letter.

My goodness. Lady Kang.

You know that information broker who lives at Wolhyanggwan?

He told me to give this to you.

How dare he?

How could he try to have you when you will become the queen?

My Lady. The red hair ribbon looks good on you.

Are you looking for me?

How did you come here?

I have something to tell you.

But I might only have the courage to say it tonight.

What is it?

I missed you.

Is that

what you wanted to say?

I have seen you, so it's enough.

You should head back inside.

If

I am not the King,

would you still see me?

Such an assumption does not exist.

You are the current King of Joseon,

and that will never change.

So that will never change.

Anyone here?

-What... -Here.

-Welcome. -This is Lady Yun.

-She's here for the measurements. -Hello.

You have to make a yellow jacket of the best quality.

Yes, of course.

Please wait for a moment.

Why do I need a yellow jacket?

Don't you know that investing time and money always pays off?

My lady.

We are the Flower Crew, you know.

You cannot just wear anything to the queen selection.

I won't even pass the first selection, anyway.

-Why waste money? -Stop talking back to me.

-Oh. -A beautiful yellow color.

Right, thank you.

Please spread your arms for me.

All right.

A new jade perfumed sachet by the perfume maker Kim Wol-su

is going to be sold at eleven.

Let me go get that first.

I mean, I will go and get it, Lady Yun.

You're buying another perfumed sachet?

Please turn around.

Didn't you buy one five days ago?

He's obsessed with perfumed sachets.

Welcome, my lady.

Your outfit is ready.

Follow me.

How are your preparations for the gathering?

What is there to prepare for?

I have lived my whole life as a lady from a noble family.

I will just act as I usually do.

I really hope that boy who resembles your brother

does not get sold off.

That will never happen.

You aren't

preparing for the queen selection, are you?

That position

is far out of your reach.

We will have to see about that.

You should apologize.

Who knows?

If you confess everything and kneel in front of me,

I might stop you from getting taken to the government office.

I will go

to get an apology from you.

You must keep your promise as well.

I will see you at the gathering.

My pretty babies.

Welcome.

I came for the perfumed sachet.

Please wait for a moment.

They are all so pretty.

Excellent.

The scent really is amazing.

This is what you call the work of a master craftsman.

Why would you import these from Qing? Joseon sachets are so nice.

Of course.

Come to me, my baby.

This is not bad.

-How much is this? -"Not bad"?

Do you even know what that is?

It is a sachet containing 11 different perfumes

mixed and made with sincerity and devotion.

And

I came here first.

What did you say?

It is all right.

Were you startled?

Honey!

Why are things suddenly getting so scary?

A man putting on makeup like ladies

and even buying perfumed sachets?

Are you a girl?

What a sick jerk!

Gosh, what is this smell?

I smell something rotting.

You really smell disgusting.

My goodness, the stench!

His stench is awful.

You jerk.

You don't deserve something like this.

Let's go.

My sachet...

No! Give that back!

Give that back!

Sir!

Beating up someone two to one? That is so cheap.

You guys have no conscience, do you?

You little...

I contacted the Police Bureau.

Are they coming soon?

Come on.

Those idiots got fooled so easily.

You should have taken me with you.

Here.

Are you hurt?

It is only a small scratch.

It doesn't seem like it.

Three Months.

Do you think I am strange, too?

Yes.

Is that so?

Everyone is a little bit strange, you know.

That is why everyone is so interesting.

You are the second person to say that.

Who was the first one?

Come on. We're late. Let's go.

Aren't you going to thank me?

Uncle is thinking of turning his back on Jun-hyeon.

If another assassin is sent to him, he will die for sure.

What do I do?

Court Lady Choe.

-Yes, Your Highness. -Get ready to leave.

Pardon?

I will go and see His Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Her Highness is here.

Mother.

Your Majesty, please save my relative.

Mother, please get up.

Your Majesty, what can I do to save him?

Mother.

The investigation will proceed according to the rules.

If you keep him in his cell,

he is going to be killed!

How about ending the regency?

I will do anything you say,

so please just save my dear Jun-hyeon.

He is like the only sibling I have.

Your Majesty, please.

I thought Councilor Ma's son who ran away

was the only one out of his mind.

But a man mentioned in a list of immoral ladies

and a man who does makeup for women?

Why would His Majesty visit a place with men like this?

My lord.

A government official is here to see you.

Let him enter.

These are the ladies related to Councilor Ma's family

among the candidates in the capital

who applied so far.

MA JEONG-HUI

So I guess Councilor Ma

is sending his niece as a candidate.

Good work.

I will bring in more once other candidates

send in their letters.

If your daughter becomes the queen,

then my son's civil service exam...

How can I forget what you have done for my cause?

He will pass the exam,

and I will even save a good position for him.

Thank you, my lord.

Thank you so much.

That man...

Do you know how powerful my boss' family is?

He's Councilor Ma's son!

I'm going to tell on you!

I mean it!

I know him from somewhere.

Do you know any of these men?

I am sure I saw this man before.

Right! I remember now.

He escaped when I was working at the government office five years ago.

He was the most wanted criminal with a huge price on his head.

A wanted criminal?

It's this guy. Chil-nom. He had 100 yang on his head.

CHIL-NOM REWARD: 100 YANG

I was wondering where he was hiding.

He was shamelessly acting as a nobleman in Hanyang?

He is a scary man.

I will arrest him right away.

Mr. Choe.

Yes, my lord.

Do not tell anyone about this.

Pardon?

This is for a greater cause.

Do you understand?

Tell me the five virtues mentioned in Instructions for Women.

"There must be affection between a parent and child,

loyalty between a ruler and subject,

a distinction between a husband and wife,

order between an adult and a child,

and faith between friends."

That is what Mencius said.

You really sound like a noble lady now,

Lady Yun.

Stop that.

I don't think I can ever do this again.

I like being Gaettong.

Gaettong.

Yes.

I have something to tell you.

What is it?

Three Months.

Three Months!

Here you go.

Look.

An elegant skirt that will make men's hearts flutter,

and a jade-colored jacket that will make you look refined.

What do you think? The King...

I mean, even the King will be impressed, let alone your lover.

Is it time already?

Of course. I prepared this for you,

so go and try it on.

Big Sis. You still haven't told her about the King?

And whose fault do you think this is?

Never mind. Forget it.

What do you mean?

The selection is beginning soon.

Three Months needs to know to prepare for it.

I will just tell her myself, then.

No, I will.

When?

After a few more days, when the gathering is over.

Why are you suddenly talking about the gathering?

You have something hidden there, don't you?

Is it a new ornament or something?

Big Sis!

Like what Her Highness wanted,

you should conclude this by dismissing the section chief from his position.

But

if we just end things like that, it will become difficult

to punish those who exploit

their authorities like him.

Your Majesty.

Strengthening your position as the King

and keeping the throne is more important right now.

I believe this time you should join hands with Her Highness.

I will make an important announcement today.

As a widow, I had to act as regent until now,

but over 100 days passed since His Majesty sat on the throne

and his age is now 23.

So I am now going to hand over this heavy burden to the King.

Your Highness.

His Majesty has spent a long time outside the palace,

so I believe it will still be very difficult

for His Majesty to handle political affairs on his own.

Please reconsider this, Your Highness.

-Please reconsider this, Your Highness. -Please reconsider this, Your Highness.

His Majesty has grown old enough,

and he is qualified to make political decisions on his own now.

So I am ending my regency now.

I sincerely hope you will rule wisely, Your Majesty.

-Thank you, Your Highness. -Thank you, Your Highness.

I am the one who made her the most powerful woman in Joseon!

How dare she end the regency without even discussing it with me?

How dare she?

-Hyeon. -Yes, sir.

I will catch Gaettong

and bring her to you, no matter what.

Honey, why aren't you coming to the kisaeng parlor these days?

I will not go there anymore.

Is it because of that noble-looking lady?

It's okay.

You should date her and get married as well.

But you can still visit sometimes, right?

I'm sorry, Seomseom.

I don't think I should see you anymore.

About you meeting Kim Su...

Don't go.

I caused this, so I will take care of it.

I'm the one who crossed the line,

so I will take care of it.

Su

is my family.

He was my brother when my brother wasn't there for me,

and he was my friend, too.

-So-- -So it will hurt more

and it will be more difficult.

Still,

I will do it.

I will.

Is there anything I can do to help you?

Can't you

come just half a step closer?

Is this close enough?

Just this much.

Stay this close to me.

For now,

this is enough.

Gaettong.

Why are you being so hesitant?

Did you do something wrong?

If you did, you better tell me right now.

A lie only takes one second,

but getting forgiven for that will take a long time.

I will tell you the truth when the gathering is over.

Whatever it may be,

will you forgive me?

Give me your hand.

TRY AGAIN

This is...

If you need another chance too,

I will give it to you.

So whatever it is, you should tell me soon.

Su.

Your clothes...

Come here.

Wait.

I have something to tell you.

I have something to say too. Let's go.

What?

Su...

How...

Do you remember this?

We used to eat here every day.

The bowl my father used,

the spoon and chopsticks you used...

Aren't they exactly the same?

Su.

Look at me.

I said I have something to tell you.

Come over here too.

The hydrangeas we planted are still here.

-Su! -You promised me!

You promised to be my family forever.

You said you would be my family.

Su.

We changed.

No, I changed.

Everything here changed too.

But I made it look the way it was before.

I made all this to look

like how it was when we lived together.

We

can go back to how it was before too. I will make that happen.

I'm sorry.

Sorry.

I can't do this.

Why?

Because you like that matchmaker?

I tried to go back to you,

because that's where I belonged.

But...

But I can't do it.

I know I will get punished by the skies for this.

I know this is so wrong, but...

But...

What can I do? I can't control how I feel.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Su.

My lady.

You're...

Where have you been?

I was looking for you everywhere.

I have something to tell you.

I have to meet someone, so come back next time.

It is about the con man

that you are going to meet right now.

The Flower Crew has just been toying with you.

I was just choosing a book that you might enjoy.

Which is it?

Are you someone who sells information at a kisaeng parlor,

or are you a lowly matchmaker who toys with women

for the marriages?

It is not like that.

I will explain everything.

Did the King

offer you a government position if you succeeded?

Or were you promised a lot of money

for meeting me instead?

What was the reason?

It was because of you.

I only met you because I wanted to see you.

You're lying.

I am sorry. But my feelings are sincere.

The promise we made then--

The promise I made

was not to a lowly matchmaker,

but to the King of Joseon.

If I am not the King,

do I mean nothing to you?

Right.

Unless you are going to become the King, let me go.

Who is it?

Who met the King instead of me?

How much more are you going to humiliate me?

It was

Lady Yun Su-yeon.

You said what I put in this is what's important, right?

You're wrong.

I can't put anything

in this ugly thing, and I can't use it either.

If you wanted to have something valuable, you should have been born noble.

You should not have been born

as a useless man who can't even take the civil service exam.

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.

I'll find a way

to come back to you.

When everything settles down, let's get married again

like we promised.

I walked this path just for her.

But she says she doesn't want this path.

Without Gaettong,

what do I do

along this path?

Who is it?

Who met the King instead of me?

It was

Lady Yun Su-yeon.

What is so special about that girl?

Just wait and see.

Whatever her identity is,

I will reveal it to the whole world.

Did Matchmaker Ma go somewhere?

Oh, he left early in the morning saying that he had

an important client to meet.

There's a marriage ban right now. What client is he meeting?

I'll be back later.

I will see you later.

What?

That hurts! My gosh.

I said it hurts!

Watch it.

This is a new silk outfit that came from Maponaru yesterday.

I brought him, Councilor Kang.

Councilor Kang.

With what purpose did you bring me here?

There seem to be a lot of people who are searching for you.

CHIL-NOM REWARD: 100 YANG

My lord.

Chil-nom.

What would I gain from reporting you to the government office?

If you just do one simple thing for me,

I will turn a blind eye so that you can continue to wear nice clothes

and live like a man from a noble family.

What should I help you with, my lord?

The Flower Crew.

I am very interested in it.

Tell me about that place.

Which noble lords and ladies visit, what they talk about,

what they do. Don't leave out any details.

I am sure

you do not want to return to that place.

Come this way, please.

She is waiting for you.

Please, sit.

The tea we make in our house is pretty nice.

The sammyo is well balanced.

Are you not having the gathering today?

I canceled it.

The gathering is just a small event.

Get acknowledged for your qualities at the queen selection,

where the best of Joseon's ladies are gathered.

Then I will apologize and give you

my servant as well.

What do you say?

Will you accept the challenge?

What do you mean?

You have brought many men with you,

Your Majesty.

Why did you ask to see me out here?

Mr. Matchmaker.

Did you hand in Gaettong's letter for the queen selection?

No, I will not send the letter.

Your Majesty.

I will take back my word on helping you with this marriage.

I will not

send Gaettong to you.

This is a marriage proposal letter

that the Matchmaker Hun is giving to Gaettong.

For the first time, I will do my best and try to make you fail the selection.

Who is Yun Su-yeon?

Do you want me to send you back to that place?

We received a report.

Take him to the Royal Investigation Bureau.

So wait until Gaettong can make a decision.

What will you do if I can't?

Don't make me be the King.

Subtitle translation by Ju-young Park