Original subtitles

I will take back my word

on helping you with this marriage.

I will not

send Gaettong to you.

Do you have feelings for her?

-I am sorry. -Apologizing won't do.

The punishment for humiliating a King

is having your limbs ripped off.

With that punishment,

would you cancel your request?

-Mr. Matchmaker. -How long are you planning

to keep this a secret from Gaettong?

When we were talking about the marriage,

someone should have told Gaettong the truth.

That's...

-Gaettong could have-- -Yes.

I know you could not tell her because she would get shocked

or because she might be in danger. But Your Majesty,

she is the one you were trying to marry.

She should have been the first to know.

Tell Gaettong the truth now.

I have a debt to pay,

so I am giving you the chance to ask her for forgiveness first.

You said you were only opening a path for her,

and that Gaettong would be the one to decide.

So wait until Gaettong can make

a decision.

What will you do

if I can't?

I am a guest

to you right now.

Don't make me be the King.

Someone told me that a lie only takes one second,

but getting forgiven for that will take a long time.

I hope Your Majesty

and I both

are not too late.

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?

This is different from what you promised before.

Stop fooling around and keep your promise.

Are you afraid that you will get caught for pretending to be a lady?

Gaettong?

My name

is Yun Su-yeon.

Well,

if you get caught at the palace of all places,

your life will be on the line.

You wouldn't be interested in whether your brother

is sold off or not at that point.

Lady Kang.

Do as you want.

It is up to you

whether to turn up or not,

but you should keep in mind

that my servant is in my hands.

Then I will see you at the queen selection, Lady Su-yeon.

The Flower Crew.

Tell me about that place.

I am sure

you do not want to return to that place.

Get lost!

How dare you come here?

-Get lost! -Get lost!

My goodness, the stench!

His stench is awful.

My goodness.

You!

Did you not hear me tell you to never come near this place?

If I take a different route, it will take two more hours.

Please let me pass by.

Then you should take a different route.

How dare

an animal walk into a village where humans live?

Get lost!

-Get lost! -Go!

That stench!

My goodness.

Get lost!

Disgusting!

My gosh.

Leave!

Oh, the stench.

No...

I'm Ko Yeong-su.

If he thinks I will fall for his cheap threats, he is mistaken.

Chil-nom is dead.

I'm Ko Yeong-su.

I'm Ko Yeong-su.

I'm Ko Yeong-su!

Yes, you're Ko Yeong-su. Who else would you be?

Little Sis?

What are you doing here?

Did someone not recognize Hanyang's most fashionable man?

You are totally drunk. My goodness.

Why were you kicked out of the kisaeng parlor?

Who said I got kicked out?

I came here because I missed you.

Hey, go away!

You will ruin my clothes.

This is really expensive, you know.

Of course. You got this new outfit

after waiting for hours until dawn at Mapo Port.

My gosh. Just get up.

Put that vomit back in.

Keep that in. All right?

You will cause a disaster.

Unbelievable.

Big Sis. Why are you just standing there watching?

Do something.

Why is he so drunk?

I don't know. He is a total pain in the neck.

Hold him.

I will go and bring Tae-su.

Those two...

The ones who were with Gaettong?

"Flower Crew."

The matchmakers who arranged the Kim family's marriage?

Hey.

It's the big boss of our Flower Crew.

What are you doing?

I was waiting to tell you the information I just heard.

The marriage--

Let's stop talking about that.

I just canceled that contract.

We are not arranging the King's marriage.

Your marriage is the one that's over.

You are ruined for good.

Why don't you talk when you sober up?

Or else I will just abandon you here.

You just lost your chance with our newbie.

That smart lady just found out everything.

Gaettong will have to go to the palace now.

That lady is really angry.

Did you not understand?

That girl you like

really has to go to the palace to marry another man.

The gathering must have ended already.

Where are you, and what are you doing, Gaettong?

I'm back.

Are you all right?

Mr. Matchmaker.

I have to go to the queen selection.

Don't worry.

Mr. Matchmaker.

Should I run away?

Should I just ignore everything

and just run away to a place

where nobody knows me?

Shall we?

Where would you like to go?

Let's go to the ocean.

The ocean?

I heard that the ocean

is really deep and wide.

Then no one will be able to find us.

While we are on that topic, let's just go right now.

You can't move because you said something you don't even mean.

Where would you go when your brother is here?

Don't think of running away alone.

You should stay by my side.

Where else would I be if I'm not by your side?

I will do my best so that she doesn't look any less pretty than the others.

You have to tell His Majesty that there is a great talent

in Pimatgol, alright?

I have to go to the queen selection.

-Let's see. -So wait until Gaettong can make

a decision.

We do not have much time left.

We should call the painter and check the faces of the ladies.

Big Sis!

We don't have that much time. We can't wait for him to draw them all.

Just get information about them, and--

Flower Crew Rulebook, chapter one. "Taking Requests."

"Before arranging a marriage,

-the matchmaker must meet the couple--" -Whatever.

I should just burn that rulebook. Where is it?

If Little Sis were here, we'd get tons of information.

That would be so helpful.

That's right. We have all the information we need right here.

Detailed information on their faces,

family background, and even their personalities.

Would this allow me to join you guys?

I thought you wouldn't join us this time.

Why would you leave me out on such an interesting job?

I would rethink this if I were you.

This marriage is different from the ones we arranged so far.

We are planning on scamming the whole of Joseon right now.

If things go wrong,

we are all dead.

You don't need to make a speech on how fun it will be.

If it bothers you so much, we will take a vote.

-I'm in. -Me too.

I don't care about risking my life. I want ten new products.

Rare ones.

You better keep your promise.

And are you in or out?

Little Sis, come on.

Big Sis is the one who started this. Why would he object?

Somebody might misunderstand.

Don't you think, Big Sis?

I...

Whatever it is, I'm in too.

I'm in on whatever you're doing.

What's wrong?

It's nothing.

That's right. It's nothing.

What's going on?

Is it something big?

Pack your things. You must come with me somewhere tonight.

We are here, my lord.

Mister?

Mister! I told you that you would get in huge trouble if you came in here!

Where did you get this outfit?

Come down from there.

Greet him.

He will be your father from now on.

He is Lord Yun Dong-seok.

What? "Father"?

Go ahead and cover yourself with this.

Your family would feel so sad

to see you like this.

We will take care of any servants or necessities you need.

All you have to do is lend us your house.

This

will repay all the debt I owe you.

Don't bother me anymore after this.

He is just always a bit gruff, so don't take it personally.

All right. Don't worry.

I am staying here for only a few days.

From now on, you must really think of yourself as a noble lady

and watch how you act.

I will.

I will do my best so that

I do not disgrace Lord Yun.

Yes, you should.

So you are saying that these two are the same person?

Yes, it seems so.

How did such a lowly girl

become a lady from a noble family just overnight?

Well,

I heard that your son was arranging His Majesty's marriage

when he was living outside the palace.

But the marriage did not happen,

and the girl became a lady?

YUN SU-YEON

So the marriage did not really get canceled.

They were toying with me.

If you are so curious,

try finding her.

Right.

I found her, Your Majesty.

My goodness. These pretty babies.

Take a look.

The weather is awful today. It will ruin my fair skin.

I should wear my sunglasses.

My gosh.

Watch where you're going.

-I got that all the way from Russia. -I am sorry.

These are very nice sunglasses.

Of course. Fashionable men in Hanyang understand each other's tastes.

It has been a while,

Chil-nom.

Hurry up with the punishment!

You are mistaken.

Since when was Chil-nom a man?

You better help Councilor Kang properly.

You might not do anything great, but you should at least do your duty as a human.

Chil-nom.

My perfumed sachet.

I can't believe the queen selection starts tomorrow.

If you go to the palace tomorrow,

will you be able to see the King again?

The Internal Quarters is in charge of the selection,

so I cannot meet the King.

Then since you are the only one who has seen his face,

you might have the best chance at getting selected.

Why do you look so down?

You seemed so excited before.

You haven't been eating well these days, either.

Are you nervous?

I am sorry. But my feelings are sincere.

Everything that fraud says

is just a lie.

You're finally here.

You are being very rude.

I thought that

you would come out if I made you angry.

Did you come to say goodbye,

or to apologize to me?

Whichever it is, you are too late.

I came to declare war.

What do you think?

I chose an outfit that you might like.

Leave.

For the first time, I will do my best

and try to make you fail the selection.

Do you really think I would meet an information broker

at a kisaeng parlor if I fail the queen selection?

Even if you do not come to me,

you would be outside the palace.

Then I might be able to run into you at least once in my life.

I will do my best for that chance.

What are you doing?

The queen selection starts tomorrow.

I don't want you to get hurt

in that path full of thorns.

That's right. We have all the information we need right here.

Detailed information on their faces,

family background, and even their personalities.

I am sure

you do not want to return to that place.

I will just use this for a moment and return it.

I

should not have given you that marriage proposal letter.

I should not have accepted that job.

So

I will try to fix things, even if it's a bit late.

This is a marriage proposal letter

that the Matchmaker Hun is giving to Gaettong.

Is that a pass?

It is a pass.

No, it's a fail.

It's a bribe.

In case you refuse to come back because the palace is so nice.

Are you really worried that I would

actually get selected as the queen?

They already have someone in mind.

Why would you be so worried?

Who knows?

The King might have a peculiar taste

and start to like you.

Then

I will have to reject him.

I will say I have a lover.

You must

come back.

I will.

I will come back.

I heard he was the best information broker in Joseon.

I guess that was not a lie.

YUN SU-YEON

But

why is there no information on Lady Yun?

He said nobody knew much about her since she came to Hanyang recently.

Right. I understand.

But I heard

that His Majesty left something valuable with the Flower Crew.

What is it?

It's Big Sis.

"Big Sis"?

I mean Mr. Ma.

Before His Majesty went to the palace,

those two were the best of friends.

I guess His Majesty must have felt lonely at the palace.

Well, then...

The reward on my neck...

Not so fast.

That 100 yang is not a small amount.

I will be back soon.

I will be back later.

Good luck.

My lord.

What is this?

Lady Yun told me

to make sure to give this to you this morning.

Take it away.

KANG MONG-GU

YUN DONG-SEOK

It is a pleasure to see you again here, Lady Yun.

Why did you come without a helper?

You must keep your promise this time.

By the way, if you arrive at the palace,

there will be a present for you.

"A present"?

Big Sis. Why would I be a eunuch?

Sisters. I'm Ko Yeong-su.

Being stylish is the most important thing to me.

I was born a man. How can I wear such a thing?

It looks like a pine tree or something.

Anyway, it will be a huge embarrassment to wear that as a man.

My gosh.

All right. His Majesty requested this himself,

but it's too bad if you refuse.

I guess I will have to ask Tae-su.

Big Sis. Who said I wouldn't wear it?

I only said it wasn't stylish.

The interview for the first selection

will be done in groups of five at Huijeongdang.

I will call your names in order,

so if your name is called, come forward.

The others may rest here

and wait until their name is called.

Cheon Se-hwa, Na Jun-hui,

Jo Seong-hui, Kwon Ji-min,

Kang Jeong-deok.

These five ladies, please follow me.

And remember that from the moment you sit down there,

every single thing you do is written down.

Hey, Sis.

That young lady over there has been yawning since she came here.

She deserves the lowest grade.

-The lowest. -I know. I'm watching too, you know.

Hurry up and write it down, then.

The lowest grade. Yes.

My goodness. You see that, right? She's blowing her nose.

How can a lady from a noble family act like that?

Unbelievable. She should get the lowest grade, too.

-I know. I see it, too. Okay? -All right. The lowest grade.

All right.

That's right.

My goodness. Look.

How can that lady be so elegant?

She is just perfect for the queen.

Who?

That lady over there, the second from the back.

-She is sitting with her back straight. -Yes, you are right.

She should get the best grade. Come on, circle it.

Good work.

That's right. You have a sharp eye.

But I don't think I have seen you before.

Where are you from?

You look like a low-rank eunuch.

Oh, I guess you haven't heard the news.

There is a place called the Flower Palace.

His Majesty got it established recently.

-"Flower Palace"? -Yes. Flower.

"Flower"?

-The flower blooms -The flower blooms

-The flower withers -The flower withers

-That "flower"? -Yes. "Flower."

That's strange. I have never heard of it before.

Well, it was just built recently, so...

So you're a newbie?

Yes. A newbie.

You should always keep your head on straight!

-You are not here just for fun. -Of course not.

It must have started by now.

They said it would start at oh-shi. It would have started by now.

OH-SHI: 11 A.M. TO 1 P.M.

I'm worried her beauty will catch everyone's attention.

That is not all.

She has such a kind heart.

What if the Queen Dowager takes a liking to her?

What if another man spots her?

She is just too beautiful to ignore.

You are right. Even the eunuchs would fall for her.

The King is bound to fall for her as well.

Who have you been talking about?

I don't think we are talking about the same person.

Don't you think you are exaggerating a bit?

Don't you know me?

I only talk about things that I see with my own eyes.

Then...

This is an emergency!

The lady who was sitting next to you was Lady Ma.

Lady Ma?

Councilor Ma's niece.

The one they have in mind for the queen.

And she is sitting right next to you.

You must look much better than her.

My gosh, your makeup is a mess.

But what does that matter?

I'm not actually here to become the queen, you know.

Of course, you are.

If you realize who the King is, you'll...

I will what?

It's nothing.

I wish there was someplace I could go to spill my secrets.

That outfit really suits you.

What are you talking about?

It is perfect for you.

That man...

Councilor Kang's daughter is here.

Wait, you can't come in here.

Yeong-su.

Excuse us for a minute.

What

is so special about that girl?

Did I not tell you?

I will no longer go easy on you just because you're my son.

How could you

dare to work with the King and try to make that lowly girl the queen?

You were a smart kid.

Why did you become like this?

May I go back now?

Councilor Ma.

I am busy right now.

I'm currently arranging a marriage.

How dare you!

Do you still have the guts to act out?

You have fooled the whole of Joseon.

That cheeky King,

and that foolish Flower Crew girl.

They will all die for this.

So

are you saying you will report everyone

to the Royal Investigation Bureau and get us all arrested?

Do you think I won't do that because you are my son?

Then do it.

I will do the same.

What shall I report first?

The fact that you dared

to get the King's lover, Gaettong, killed?

Or the fact that you had the Crown Prince killed

and chose the King of Joseon yourself?

Do you have proof?

Do you think I don't?

I respect your determination.

But who would ever believe

your far-fetched stories?

People would at least start suspecting something.

If such rumors begin at a time like this,

what do you think will happen to the queen selection?

Well, then.

I will consider this a mistake by the Royal Investigation Bureau

and head back now.

Hun.

That girl.

Do you have feelings for her?

What are you trying to say?

Stop what you're doing.

If you do,

I will let that girl live.

You are the one who should stop.

I will no longer put up with this just because I am your son.

Right.

I bet you do not know how to stop either,

since you are my son.

I will now call out the names of the last three ladies.

Kang Ji-hwa,

Yun Su-yeon,

Ma Jeong-hui.

What is it, Lady Yun?

Go ahead first.

I need to visit the bathroom.

Then I will escort these ladies

and come back later.

What's going on?

My shoes are gone.

What?

They were here just a moment ago. Where did they go?

Hang on. Just stay here for a bit.

I mean, please wait, my lady.

My goodness.

Why does this have to happen now?

Three Months is really a pain in the neck.

I can only make a living by following orders of my superiors,

so please don't blame me.

I'm dead if I don't do this.

Lady Yun.

We cannot wait any longer.

Lady Yun.

I'm coming.

Let's go.

Eunuch Jang.

What would be the most natural way to appear before her?

Should I pretend that I was taking a walk in the nice weather?

Or that I was out to see my mother?

They will both seem very awkward, Your Majesty.

What if I say I was just passing by?

Huijeongdang is not a place you would pass by on your way somewhere.

How can there be no way to go there when I'm so close by?

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

He's back again.

Why are you out here? Come inside.

You're here, Mr. Matchmaker.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I heard about your request and came here right away.

Thank you, Eunuch Ko.

But why were you calling me in such an urgent voice?

Well, the thing is...

Raise the blinds. I will see them myself.

You really are a beauty.

How old are you?

I am 19.

She seems to have a kind heart and a calm temperament.

She is perfect for the queen.

Is Lady Yun still not here?

Raise the blind.

What happened to your socks?

I lost my shoes.

How could someone become the mother of a whole nation

when she cannot even take care of her own belongings?

It was a relief that I lost my shoes.

It was a relief?

Yes.

I stepped on dirt and rocks on the way here.

Each step was painful for me.

So with each step,

I was able to think about the value of things that I had been taking for granted.

I only lost a pair of shoes, but I was able to learn a great lesson.

So it was a relief I lost them.

That is an interesting answer.

You should be failing the selection for losing your belongings,

but I will let it pass since I appreciate your wisdom.

That cannot happen.

Aren't you Councilor Kang's daughter?

Are you disagreeing with the Queen Dowager's decision?

I am sorry, but I am, Your Highness.

Is that so?

Lady Yun had a man

disguise himself as a eunuch here to get selected as the queen.

Did she really?

There are laws within the palace.

A lady who ignored and broke those laws

should not be selected as the queen.

Are Lady Kang's words true?

Well, I...

I had that man brought to the palace.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

Mother. Lady Yun was ill for a long time,

and had to go around the whole country getting treatment.

She had no acquaintances in Hanyang, so she could not find a helper.

That is why I urgently asked a friend of mine from outside the palace

to help her out.

But still, how...

Some relatives I had never met suddenly showed up.

They told me

I was an aristocrat.

I

am living in the palace with no acquaintances,

so felt sympathy towards her.

So please understand

and forgive us with your generosity.

Just this time.

You are lucky, Lady Yun.

Lady Yun.

How dare you stare at His Majesty's face like that?

I apologize.

I found His Majesty at just the right timing.

If it weren't for me, you would have failed the first selection.

You knew who Su was?

I only found out recently.

Gosh, Big Sis.

I told him that you might be shocked so we should tell you right away.

Then, Mr. Ma knew

about this?

Of course. How could he not know?

He promised to arrange your marriage with the King himself.

Why do you think you suddenly became a noble lady?

So, how did the first selection go?

There is something

you must know, Father.

The King

already has a lady in mind.

They

were just toying with us.

What do you mean, "they"?

The Flower Crew.

They have been

arranging the King's marriage.

Wow, it's pretty.

Pretty things are Gaettong's.

Everything

is mine.

If you get hurt,

three generations of my family may be annihilated.

-What? -Anyway, I did try to stop you.

Thus, I'm not responsible for any bloodshed that occurs from now on.

Make sure you tell him that.

Tell who?

Just someone

whom I cannot address by his name.

He knew everything.

He knew.

He did everything, knowing who he was.

Gaettong.

How dare you toy with me?

You must really want to go back to that place!

No, I don't!

My lord, please have mercy!

Who is this lady named Yun Su-yeon?

The former chief of the Bureau of Diplomatic Documents,

Lord Yun Dong-seok, is--

You are still lying to me!

I heard that Yun Su-yeon is dead.

Are you saying she came back from the dead?

Chil-nom.

Do you want to live as a monster who kills people again?

What crime did this boy commit

to get 100 yang on his head?

He killed someone.

He was a monster,

and he killed someone that he should never have touched.

CHIL-NOM REWARD: 100 YANG

Hurry up with the punishment!

Hold the sword firmly like this.

Come on, do it!

So who is Yun Su-yeon?

Who is Yun Su-yeon?

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

Gaettong.

Gaettong...

She's Gaettong, the one who was

about to marry the King.

When were you going to tell me?

After the first selection.

If you found out before it,

I thought you wouldn't come.

That's how much

I wanted you to be with me.

Su.

You said you were never given a name.

Even though I have a name,

I don't even know who I am now.

I suddenly heard that my brother and father were dead,

and the person I knew as my father for 20 years

is the commandant of the Palace Guards.

And my mother

never told me who I am.

But

if you are by my side,

I know who I am.

I am your one true friend,

your reliable brother,

your family,

and your lover.

What I wanted to be

was just someone next to you.

But

you became the King.

I did not choose to be the King.

Without you,

I cannot be anything.

So Gaettong,

come to me.

This is an order.

Please cancel that order.

Let go.

That is an order.

I will disobey that order, Your Majesty.

The marriage is over now.

If you give up one thing, you can gain everything.

Can't you stay by my side?

Give me another chance, too.

It's yeon, meaning "love."

It seems that someone really loves you.

You must come to the second selection.

Find that boy and bring him to the palace.

You don't want to go back to how things were, do you?

Mr. Matchmaker! Gaettong's brother...

I will go back to my place.

Let's run away to a place where no one can find us.

Subtitle translation by Ju-young Park