Original subtitles

Subtitled by KBS America

Did Yoha put you up to this?

Give me death, sir!

Sure, I'll give you death. Take him.

Huh? Foreman, no! Spare me!

Come with me,

- Sir! - if you don't want to die.

Don't kill me! Sir!

Your somersault was a little weak today.

Why? Afraid of making an impression on the new magistrate?

Do it right.

So I don't look bad as the sponsor of this event.

That's why I made up for it at the end.

This is the perfume pouch I gave to Byeo Lim.

Wait.

What's this?

I--I'm just taking out some rotten fish.

Byeo Lim Byeo Lim...!

Open your eyes! Byeo Lim!

This is rotten fish?

Remove the body at once!

I hope Byeo Lim's lesson has taught you something.

Refusing the chignon means death for gisaengs.

What is a chignon?

What is your idea of a chignon?

I was taught that putting your hair up in a chignon signifies giving yourself to the man

you love, and that it is the most glorious and beautiful moment in a gisaeng's life.

Am I wrong?

Go on.

But you and the assistant magistrate

chose for her a man she's never met

when you knew she is in love with someone else.

Did she deserve to be beaten to death for

preserving her virginity for the man she loves?

Love is a luxury gisaengs cannot afford.

Duty comes first for government gisaengs.

And you're bound by law to give your virginity as ordered by the state.

Assistant Magistrate!

I was just about to call you, but here you are.

Why did you kill Byeo Lim?

She died paying for defying the order of the state. How dare you accost me!

Forget about the girl and just do a good job serving the new magistrate tonight.

Consider it an honor having your hair pinned up by a high official.

What?

Byeo Lim is dead and you want me to serve a man in bed?

Do you have a death wish as well?

Hong, was it?

I'll never forget her incredible riding skills.

Not only is she talented but her beauty is unsurpassed in Jeju.

It's Hong.

What is the meaning of this mourning garb?

My lord, even animals grieve when they're in pain.

As a human being, I should be granted time to mourn a friend's death.

Servants!

Get this wench out of here at once!

If you have time for this,

you should practice your performing arts and work on your faces.

Chastity means nothing to gisaengs.

If you're not going to join us, leave.

What is the meaning of this?

What in heaven's name is this? What is the point you are trying to make?

We seek postponement of Hong's chignon

event until the 49 day mourning period is over.

We will not move an inch from here until our wish is granted!

Very well. Do as you wish.

Hong.

Byeo Lim is dead.

This is the least I can do.

Please don't kill me, sir!

West Gate Market Brokers, Jeju Island

Don't kill me... Please...

You tried to break my toy, so you have to play with me instead.

Why? Aren't you having fun?

Foreman.

This better be something important.

I don't hate you enough to shoot you.

It's about Hong.

What about her?

Who did this to her? You?

She did this to herself.

It's your duty as government gisaengs to serve the officials.

I can put all of you in prison for this!

A departed friend's spirit is still among us.

How could we sell our smile and serve drinks?

I shall fulfill my duty when it is due, so please allow me time to grieve.

You are a stubborn girl.

But your friendship is as laudable as your equestrian skills, so I will grant your request.

Move!

Do you remember how we used to stand

here and imagine Granny getting off that ship?

That was seven years ago.

I think that's what helped us get us through it.

Don't do anything to upset the assistant magistrate again.

If anything should happen to you...

I don't want to talk about that man.

Let it go, Mother.

Oh, the things I have to put up with!

Did you argue again?

Madam Bae's trinket is missing and she's accusing my mother of taking it!

Talk about bad luck... Don't accept work from the Bae's again!

Huh?

We can go to Hong and ask for cleaning work at the gisaeng school.

Who are you?

I heard that the new magistrate likes to ride horses.

I will go and meet him. Take that away.

Sir, it wouldn't hurt to take a gift.

I told you that I will ask for his fairness in dealing with tribute products to the King.

Senior Foreman.

What is it?

This woman insisted on seeing you.

Have I changed so much that you don't recognize me?

Madam...!

Here's the rice you asked for.

What do you want with a woman who sold off her own daughter to be a gisaeng?

-I'll leave now. -Okay.

Mother, doesn't Hong have a heart of an angel?

Oh, you rotten boy!

This woman will be doing maid service for us from now on.

But I am in charge of maid service!

It's Senior Foreman's order, so just do as you're told.

I'll earn my keep, so just give me work to do.

Oh boy!

That wench...

She makes her mother look bad even after she's dead and gone...

I heard you. You can go.

I have to go diving for more abalones

if I'm going to pay my tribute.

Wait.

Byeo Lim left this for you.

She's been saving her money so you could have it.

That foolish girl...

I just wanted her to take care of herself....

I never asked her to worry about me.

Byeo Lim...

We're going to bury her in the public cemetery.

You took all the abalones

I picked just a few days ago!

Why are you here again?

That was interest on your back tribute-in-kind

and we're here for this month's.

There they are.

How are we supposed to live if

you take everything we have?

Don't do this. Don't do this!

Please don't do this!

How are we supposed to live?

Did you get it?

I had to lie to get it. I have to put it back soon.

They take more than 8,000 abalones from the divers.

That means they get more than

80,000 just from the village.

I doubt that all of them end up at the palace.

Look. Only 60,000 abalones get sent to Hanyang.

Then where's the remaining 20,000?

An investigation of the clerk in the taxation office should reveal that answer.

Hong, you're putting yourself in danger.

Byeo Lim was the only friend who ever looked after me in the gisaeng school.

I would not have made it through if it weren't for her.

Still this is too dangerous.

She was always worried about her mother.

I have to do something to ease her mother's burden so she could rest in peace.

Help me. You will, won't you?

"80,000 abalones delivered to West Gate Market Brokers for preparation."

And they got back...

"30,000 dried abalones..."

"20,000 sliced and dried abalones..."

"10,000 flattened and dried abalones..."

Then the remaining

20,000 abalones went to...

West Gate Market Brokers?

Who's there?

What were you doing here?

I came to find something that belongs to Byeo Lim.

We were playing by the pond a few days ago, and she had lost this perfume pouch.

Is there a problem, sir?

Unlicensed Market in Hanyang

My lord!

They're half the price you'd pay at the marketplace.

Do you have a resale license?

Pardon?

These are unlicensed vendors! Arrest them!

Get her!

Stop!

Captain?

She's an illegal vendor. Take her.

Yes, sir.

One bowl for one nyang! Three bowls for two!

The more you buy, the more you save!

Step right up, folks!

Get your delicious rice!

Didn't you say you were going to help?

Rice... Buy rice.

You won't even attract an ant with that voice.

Sir, it's tonight.

Did you find our where?

Your attention, gentlemen.

The lucky winner of the bid for this product is Park Gil Sang of Samgae Port!

I am Park Gil Sang.

Congratulations.

You're a lucky man, buddy, a lucky man.

Yes, I am.

Since I busted the secret ring that trades Royal tributes.

Men!

Freeze!

They confiscated all of the precious abalone?

Do you know how much that's worth?

Who was it? Kim Eung Ryeol again?

I'm sorry, sir...

The list of state officials in Jeju and

the recent tribute goods delivery log you asked for, sir.

They have a newly appointed magistrate, and assistant magistrate is Choi Nam Gu.

Choi Nam Gu? He's got close ties with Jeong Dong.

And the man that has Jeong Dong covering his back...

is none other than Kang Kye Man.

Daebang can take care of this himself. Must I get involved in these petty matters?

It was none other than your son that busted the abalone trading operation that's been

active for years without any trouble.

If the Commerce Control Bureau comes down on us, it's a matter of time before

Young Lord Hong Soo finds out about your relationship with us.

I'll get Hong Soo to leave the Bureau.

You don't know your own son, my lord.

Do you really think he will leave the Bureau just because you tell him to?

That will make him dig even harder.

You must stop the Commerce Control Bureau.

That's the only way to ensure peace for us all.

How did it go?

Have I ever failed at anything?

By the way, Uncle, the favor I asked you to do for me regarding Madam Gang...

Don't worry. She's probably boiling mad and looking all over for you right now.

What brings you here, madam?

You wench! You know exactly what brings me here!

You scheming little wench!

You suck up to me like you're on my side and you steal my husband?

How did you do it?

What did you say to seduce my husband with your guileful tongue!

You dirty scum! How could push your young niece to an old master's bed?

What did you gain in return?

What is this commotion?

Husband!

Husband, you can't leave me! I'm the one who's been with you through thick and thin!

You can't do this, husband!

Jealousy has blinded you to the truth.

You should've been thrown out years ago for failing to produce an offspring.

Get this woman out of this house at once!

Husband, you can't do this! Husband!

You wench!

Husband! Husband!

Do you have definitive proof that these abalones are tribute goods from Jeju?

Perhaps we should give the Bureau a change to secure that proof.

If tribute goods are being traded in the black market,

the local people must be suffering a great burden.

We can't prosecute the innocent

based on the Bureau's conjecture.

We cannot overlook the crooks who embezzle

tribute goods that the people work so hard for.

You saw the Minister of Justice's reaction.

It could hurt you if you're not careful.

But I cannot turn a blind eye.

I'm planning to go to Jeju myself.

Personally?

Yes, sir. West Gate Market Brokers in Jeju is owned by Kang Kye Man,

and Jeong Dong's associate Choi Nam Gu is the assistant magistrate of Jeju.

I'm certain I can find the proof we need to crack the case in Jeju.

Minister of Justice was supposed to stop the investigation. How did this happen?

He couldn't have foreseen Kim Eung Ryeol

would volunteer to go all the way to Jeju himself.

Kim Eung Ryeol, Kim Eung Ryeol! He is always getting in our way!

Shall I alert our people in Jeju at once?

First we need to buy time.

You must slow Kim Eung Ryeol down.

How?

It's a long, rough road to Jeju.

And accidents happen when you're traveling.

I will see you off at the docks.

No, I'll go alone, Captain Jeong. You should get back.

Well then...

Sir! Sir!

Let's go!

Sir!

Sir! Sir!

How did you...?

I'll explain later. Let's get you out of here.

Should we go after them and finish them off?

Idiot. Don't you know who that is?

Go to Daebang and tell him that we bought some time.

I'm going straight to Jeju from here.

This is an attempt to stop you from going to Jeju.

There's got to be something there.

I will go to Jeju instead, sir.

You?

Did Kim Eung Ryeol order you to go on this dangerous trip to Jeju instead?

I volunteered.

Volunteered?

Do you want to get hurt like Kim Eung Ryeol pursuing this investigation?

He was attacked by mountain bandits.

Why do you speak as if his injury is connected to our investigation?

I will see you when I return.

Madam is waiting for you.

Hong Soo, what is this I am hearing?

Hong Soo, Lord Yi is sending his daughter's birth facts for your marriage with her.

You cannot go on a trip right now.

Mother, I can't postpone the matter of the state for a personal business.

You're heartless...

Do you think I don't know that you and your father are fighting?

Isn't that why you're going to Jeju?

No, you can't. I won't send my precious son to that island of exile so far away...!

Madam, please don't worry.

We operate a coastal trade broker agency there,

and it's not as dangerous as you might think.

So cast off any negative thoughts.

I hope she's not hurt.

- Out of my way! - This way.

What are you looking at? Get out of here! Shoo!

I don't think she'll ever be able to walk again.

Ten different doctors came by, but they all say she's lucky to be alive.

Let's go.

Do you want Jung Hong Soo that badly?

I'm yours, my lord. How could I want any other man?

But...

But?

But I just thought the future daughter-in-law of Minister Jeong Dong

should be someone that we approve of.

And what made you think this?

Entire Hanyang knows that your relationship with Minister Jeong has turned cold.

We have to take steps to be prepared.

Is that why you took steps with Lord Kim's daughter that Jung Hong Soo was engaged

in marital talks with and made her commit suicide?

Be careful. Or you'll get caught.

It's a risk worth taking for you, my lord.

If Minister Jeong should establish marital ties with a man of great wealth like Lord Yi,

you and I are sure to become useless to him.

Scheming wench.

I'm cold.

Won't you come in....

and help me with my bath?

West Gate Market Brokers, Jeju Island

We've stopped the investigator that was coming to Jeju for now.

Then that's settled.

Sir, this is a matter not to be taken lightly.

Steward Oh is right.

If we tell the magistrate that an inspector is coming, he'll want to audit the books

himself right away.

So you must cook the books first and make sure no one talks.

Better yet, I'll handle it myself so there are no mistakes.

Are you slighting me because I've been cast out by my father?

No, sir. Of course not.

Of course not.

Assistant Magistrate will take care of the inspector. Don't worry about it.

It's that girl Hong that I'm worried about.

She's just a young gisaeng. She can do no harm.

I know how you feel about her,

but if she does something stupid, I won't have a choice.

This is a matter of life and death for the West Gate Market Brokers.

There are no heated stone floors in Jeju.

Because if divers enter a heated room,

their skin will crack and blister and make them ill.

So even in the freezing winter, they sleep on cold floors.

Tributes-in-kind paid to the King by these people who live such hard lives

are being misappropriated by a group of men who use them to fill their own pockets.

Don't let her meddle in divers' affairs anymore.

But Hong is so stubborn...

Perhaps you can put her hair up instead.

Then no one will be able to harm her.

Sissy! We're in trouble!

What's the fuss!

It's Hong.

She tried to send a letter to the Royal court through a man going to Hanyang.

Luckily, Dong Joo found out in time and snatched the letter,

but the assistant magistrate read it, and...

You dare petition to the King to investigate the local government?

If you're innocent, this shouldn't bother you.

Why are you so concerned, sir?

Silence!

Sir, she wrote that letter without thinking in grief of losing a dear friend.

I will teach her a lesson she won't soon forget.

Her mind is elsewhere when she should be focused on her duty.

49 days of mourning for Byeo Lim are now over. Put your hair up as it was scheduled.

Are you prepared? It'll be in two days.

She will be ready. Rest assured.

Please postpone it for me.

Child, don't you understand?

Assistant Magistrate is counting on your refusal.

He'd like nothing more than to kill you like he killed Byeo Lim and silence you.

Give us a few minutes alone. I'll have a talk with her.

So this is punishment.

A lowly gisaeng went over her head and caused a stir, so I'm getting punished.

I can protect you, but Assistant Magistrate Choi will go after your mother as well.

Are you that repulsed by the idea?

I'm just angry that I can't make my own decisions about my own life.

I also wanted to wait until you are ready and willing.

I just wanted to be around you until then...

But judging by Assistant Magistrate Choi's reaction,

it doesn't look like we can postpone the chignon ceremony.

Couldn't you... just think of this as a favor for me?

Hong! Hong!

Leave. Run away from here.

I ran away from Hanyang to Jeju.

Where would I go this time?

Jeju may be a small island, but there's got to be a place you can hide.

I'll help you.

Dong Ah, I don't want that.

I don't want anyone else getting hurt because of me.

Granny is dead, and all of the children from

the training center were separated because of me.

Now Mother is in trouble because of me. How could I run away again?

Mistress!

Who is this?

She says she was sent to work here from East Gate Brokers.

Yes, Foreman Go had mentioned it.

Give her work to do.

Yes, ma'am.

To a gisaeng, the man that gives her a chignon is like her husband.

If you have your hair pinned up by Foreman Kang Yoo Ji,

ordinary men would not even be able to approach you.

So this cannot hurt you.

What's more,

Foreman Kang is holding a grand chignon ceremony for you complete with a boat ride.

Isn't that generous?

You must be Captain Jeong from Hanyang.

I am the clerk of the Jeju Taxation office, sir.

I see.

Shall we go?

Captain, what brings you all the way to Jeju?

I'm here on Commerce Control Bureau business.

How about you?

Why, I'm here on trading business, of course.

Well, I wish you luck with whatever you are here to do, sir.

Let us hurry.

Yes.

Who does this room belong to?

The gisaeng that's having the chignon ceremony today.

How lucky she is!

She's getting her hair put up by the richest man in Jeju!

What's her name?

Her name is Hong.

Hong? Did she by chance come to

the island about seven years ago?

Yes.

She was a complete bum when she first came here.

But now she will be the envy

of all women on this island!

Wait. How did you know?

Why are all those people escorting that palanquin?

They're taking the top gisaeng of Jeju to her chignon ceremony.

Why the extravagance for a gisaeng's chignon ceremony?

That's because the richest man in Jeju, Foreman Kang of West Gate Brokers,

is the one who is doing her the honor.

Subtitled by KBS America

We've uncovered a secret operation in Hanyang trading tributes goods from Jeju.

My business in Hanyang is in jeopardy because of the problem in Jeju.

West Gate Market Brokers? That's Kang Kye Man's...

Do you know my father?

Who are you?

If Kang Kye Man is killed, everything will go up in smoke.

I heard the inspector is Minister of Justice's son.

There's a girl I want you to meet.

This is Inspector Jung Hong Soo.

How did this happen? How did you become a gisaeng?

So you made her a gisaeng

for the price of saving her life?

The diver that old woman was looking for is Eun Hong.

Who is my mother?

You know who she is, don't you?