Original subtitles

Subtitled by KBS America

Hong, no! Hong, no! No!

Hong! Hong!

Hong! Hong! No!

Granny?

No, Hong! No!

Granny!

- No, Hong! - Granny!

Granny! Granny!

- Dong Ah? - Granny!

What are you doing here?

Granny, how did this happen?

We must stop Hong from doing this!

Hong! Hong!

Granny!

Hong! Hong!

Granny, is this really you?

I'm not dreaming, am I?

I thought... I thought you were dead!

How could I leave you alone and die?

I missed you so much. I prayed every night that you'd visit me in my dreams...

I'm sorry. I'm sorry I took so long.

Granny... Granny...

Granny...!

Hong...

There isn't a place I haven't been to try and find you.

I had no idea you'd be here in Jeju...

You said this was your home, so I thought I'd find you here.

If Dong Ah hadn't been with me...

It must've been so hard for you being an outsider...

I'm Hong, Granny. No one can break my spirit.

The way you talk, the way you think, you haven't changed at all.

If it weren't for you face, you'd never know that 7 years have gone by.

People always tell me that I don't act like a gisaeng.

How did this happen, Hong? I never dreamed you'd become a gisaeng.

The most pitiable souls end

up in the gisaeng house...

Why? Does she remind you of someone?

Be quiet.

Who did this to you?

Granny...

Lead the way. I must see who did this to you.

Mother is the one that saved me and Dong Ah from being killed.

So did you make her a gisaeng for the price of her life?

Granny...

Gisaeng is the most undesirable profession.

Becoming a gisaeng was Hong's own decision. You can ask her yourself.

Was it really your own decision?

Yes.

I raised Hong as her mother, not as a mistress of a gisaeng house.

I am the one who raised Hong.

Why are you doing this?

Pack up your things at once!

Is this why you wanted so much to work at the silk shop?

So you can wear silk dresses and live this way?

Granny!

Is this how you really want to live? As a gisaeng forever?

I have never thought of myself as a gisaeng, Granny.

I have attended events, but Mother has never ordered me to pour drinks for men.

Foolish child! Don't you realize a gisaeng can never shed her shame?

We may have been poor, but we lived with dignity.

I haven't lived like you might think.

Mother really treated me like a daughter, and...

Mother? Who is your mother?

What is this all about?

I must get her off the gisaeng guild register now that I'm here.

Are you trying to get her killed?

Hong will be killed the moment word gets out that she's trying

to get herself off the guild register.

Mother, Granny doesn't know the law very well, so please don't get upset.

Let me tell you how it works for government gisaengs.

Once you become a government gisaeng, you are always a government gisaeng.

What if her parents are middle class citizens?

Hong's parents are not peasants.

Would you be held accountable for turning a daughter of a middle classmen into a

gisaeng without permission?

Very well. If that's true, I want to meet Hong's biological mother.

If she is dead, bring me proof that she was not a peasant!

Who is my mother?

You know who she is, don't you?

Not very well.

All I know is that your mother

was a diver when she left you to me.

A diver? What else?

That's all I know.

But I intend to find out.

I'll handle this, so see what you can do to change the mistress's mind.

I want to know everything that old woman does.

Don't worry.

Hong wouldn't just pack up and leave you when you've raised her all these years.

Just do as I say! I don't have a very good feeling about this.

It won't be easy to keep Hong if the woman brings proof that Hong is not a peasant.

I raised her and cared for her for seven years. I cannot give her up that easily.

How does Minister of Justice fare?

Just answer the questions I ask.

Do you know what those are?

They are special abalone shells used as medicine.

It's a part of tribute goods we send to the King.

Then they can't be common items.

Why are they being traded in Hanyang black market?

I want to see every single ledger you have in this office!

You get paid the same price all year long when yield varies by season?

Chung, what are you doing over here?

Mom, this young lord is from Hanyang.

He was asking me if we're suffering

because of abalone tribute collection.

Deliver the abalone and get the receipt.

Sir, we have no problems.

You don't have to be afraid.

I'm here to protect the divers.

A gisaeng stirred up the government office not long ago

and only made things worse for us.

Please leave now.

A gisaeng?

Sir?

I am going to the government office myself. I'll carry it for you.

No, sir.

I'm going to West Gate Brokers.

They have to check the quality of the abalones first before they're

sent to the palace.

West Gate Brokers collect the tribute goods instead of the government office?

Sir, the inspector from Hanyang is waiting to see you.

What does he want with me? I'm a busy man.

Tell him I have no business with him.

You dare reject the summons of a government official?

I shall have you flogged for your insolence!

Jun Hong Soo! It's you.

You haven't changed a bit, Kang Yoo Ji.

I never dreamed you'd travel all this way to Jeju, my lord.

"My lord"? Call me like you used to.

I wouldn't have befriended you in the first place if status or class mattered to me.

Yes, you were the only one that treated me equally at the school house

when the others said I didn't belong there being from the middle class.

They were afraid of you.

You were always picking fights.

I heard that's why your father sent you here to Jeju.

It's more like he cast me out.

He was afraid I might cause trouble and make him look bad.

So, what brings you here, my friend?

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

So I came to conduct an investigation.

And West Gate Market Brokers is my first target of investigation.

I had no idea you were the foreman here.

Well, good then. I'll give you my full cooperation.

But first let me welcome you properly to Jeju, my friend.

I'll prepare a huge banquet for you tomorrow.

Would you be able to call all of the gisaengs to this banquet?

Don't worry. You'll meet the best gisaeng in Jeju.

But you must promise to keep your hands off.

I don't want to fight you over a woman.

Let's drink.

Hong, aren't you angry with your fussy grandmother?

You gave up your ribbon but you still haven't had your first night.

Mind your hair. Your ornament is crooked.

The man from Hanyang we're entertaining

today is the son of the Minister of Justice.

You got another chance to hook up with an even higher man,

so perhaps it's a good thing.

Who?

What are you waiting for?

The banquet is starting!

Wonderful, wonderful.

There's someone I want you to meet.

Send her in.

This is Inspector Jun Hong Soo. You may bow.

Inspector is an old friend of mine.

What do you think?

I did not come here to enjoy gisaengs' performances.

Which one of you were poking around about abalone tribute goods collection?

Hong Soo, don't tell me this is why you asked me to call the gisaengs.

I've heard that divers have been harassed as a result of a gisaeng poking around

about incongruity in abalone collection.

If I had revealed my intent, that gisaeng would've been kept out of sight as well.

Which one of you was it? Must I interrogate each one of you?

It's the girl sitting in front or you, my lord.

Yoha!

But Mistress, would you rather all of us got hurt because of her?

Was it you?

You will be called in for questioning, so be prepared.

You can't do this. She is my beloved.

I will investigate anyone I need to crack this case.

Even if that is you. It's my job.

Hong!

Dong Ah, this is where the land of the world ends, right?

What's wrong?

I want to hide.

Young lord Hong Soo is here... as an inspector.

What? Then you have to tell him that you're here!

Don't. I don't want him to see what I've become.

You have no reason to hide.

The truth is, I've been resigned to never seeing him again.

I would be doing him wrong if I let him see me like this.

I'm not prepared for this, but he is here.

I want to hide, Dong Ah.

But you'll regret it for the rest of your life if you don't see him. Is that what you want?

It's better than letting him down.

Don't tell him about me. Okay?

Can't I just sit here with you for a while?

Let me lean on you if only for a moment.

I apologize for my friend earlier.

You called me "beloved" in front of him.

I think that's a word for two people who gave their heart to each other.

But my heart is still mine.

Then why did you untie your hair ribbon for me?

Because I had to for my mother.

Didn't you ask me to think of it as a favor for you because you knew that?

I'll go now.

Let go.

Push me away.

Hit me, scream, and tell me that you hate me!

Then would you let go?

No.

You can hate me, and you can push me away. But I'll never leave you.

Let go of her!

Who do you think I am to speak to me this way?

Who is he?

This is the foreman of the West Gate Market Brokers.

West Gate Market Brokers?

Then you're Daebang Kang Kye Man's...

Do you know my father?

What's wrong?

Do you think Kang Kye Man is still looking for us?

He will come after us if he finds out that we're alive.

Hong, you mustn't forget who destroyed our training center. Do you understand?

You must keep away from Foreman Kang.

I must quickly get you off the gisaeng guild register. As quickly as possible.

You saw Jun Hong Soo enter the Jeju government office and did nothing?

You just stood there and watched knowing who he is after?

I couldn't very well hurt the son of the Minister of Justice...

But I've taken care of everything, so you don't have to worry, sir.

He saw Kim Eung Ryeol get shot down.

If he digs tooth and nail and finds a shred of evidence...

The father is an ally and the son is an enemy!

This is insane.

I'm sure West Gate Brokers will take care of it. Your son is there after all.

How is that rascal Yoo Ji anyway?

Well, sir, he's fallen for a gisaeng and spends his days indulging in revelry...

I must see Minister Jeong at once.

My lord!

I'm all right. I'm all right.

He is not feeling well, so he asked that you come back another time.

Ask him again.

He is firm on his answer. Please come back another time.

-Guards! -Aye!

Get out of my way.

Please leave!

Send him in.

My lord, why are you refusing to see me?

Can't you see that I am unwell?

There is no time, sir.

The problem in Jeju could bring down my operation in Hanyang as well.

You must help us, sir.

Minister Jeong.

You have Hong Soo in Jeju and Kim Eung Ryeol in Hanyang watching you like a hawk.

You're only hastening your demise coming to me at a time like this.

Go back home.

Are you turning your back on me, sir?

My hands are tied this time.

I am a businessman, sir.

What would I do if Kim Eung Ryeol puts his sword to my neck?

I don't know who I might sell off in desperation to save my life.

Are you going to sever ties with Minister Jeong?

I will let no one betray me first.

This is all because of that bastard Kim Eung Ryeol! What have I ever done to him?

Go to Minister Jeong again and ask him for help one more time.

No, I have my dignity to preserve.

Besides, I knew this was coming and secured a different line.

I heard you were going to Jeju and became concerned.

Don't push yourself. You're still recovering from your injury.

Captain Jeong has gone to Jeju in my place.

If they can shoot me down to stop this investigation,

who knows what they might do to him?

If it was Minister Jeong that hurt you, he won't be able to hurt Captain Jung.

Sir.

Enter.

Daebang Kang is making a suspicious move, sir.

What is this?

It's a gift in appreciation for your kind willingness to accept me as your friend.

But you're Minister Jeong's...

All I ask is that you protect me from the Bureau of Commerce Control.

Then I will give you everything you need to destroy your political enemy Jeong Dong.

Thank you.

He met with whom?

Leaders of your opposition party.

He has joined forces with them.

What?

Then he'll divulge everything about me!

Park! Park, get in here at once!

Sire, what are you going to do about Jeju?

What do you mean?

If the operation is exposed, West Gate's foreman alone should be held accountable.

But how could I sever ties with my own son?

I'm starting to realize that you can't trust anyone but your own blood.

So I've been pondering the idea of calling my son up once this thing is settled

and having him run the business in Hanyang.

I'm counting on you to help him if I do.

Of course.

You're been wasting your time. I told you blood is thicker than water.

Lower your voice.

You sweet talked me into sacrificing the best years of my life.

If I had my way, I wouldn't forgive you either, Uncle.

Moon Seon...!

I have no other options left.

I'll have to get rid of the obstacles before they get in my way.

He's been taking frequent trips out lately?

Sure, I'd be anxious, too.

Who are you?

Who sent you?

Bastards!

If Daebang Kang is killed tonight, everything is over!

Sir!

Life works in mysterious ways.

Who would've ever dreamed

that I would save your life?

Oh, that's my flute!

Is it?

I'm so glad! I was heartbroken when I lost it.

It can't be...

Eun Hong?

Please think back.

A woman diver from twenty years ago...

The Handoogi diver master from back then should know.

Is she alive?

Well...

Please help me. This is my only hope of saving Hong.

You won't be able to see her even if I tell you.

From what I've heard,

she is in the quarantine camp.

Quarantine camp?

No, it's a quarantined area that only nursemaids enter.

But I must see the diver master!

Madam!

Did you just say Eun Hong?

Yeah, the old woman was going around asking about Eun Hong.

Then Hong's birth mother is...

No, that can't be.

That can't be!

That's not the problem. She knows about the diver master.

It's a matter of time before she finds out about the dead diver Eun Hong!

Hong!

Did you go somewhere?

I was getting some sheet music for Mother.

Why is everyone here?

The inspector called all of the market brokers' staff for questioning.

I have no time for this...

So is life good being a gisaeng?

Gosh, what kind of hello is that?

Please be quiet. We're not here to fight.

When I meet the inspector, I'll expose everything about the abalone collection.

Shhh! You'll get yourself killed!

No, no. Somebody's got a put a stop to West Gate Brokers!

You're hurting my feelings.

There will be a price to pay for those who disrespect my master Foreman Kang.

What's the urgent matter?

It appears the inspector is bent on questioning everyone on this island.

Everyone's been warned, so nothing will become of it.

Not everyone.

You're forgetting about the old diver master in the quarantine camp.

I heard from a nursemaid that she's still alive.

Quarantine camp?

You have good memory.

I had forgotten about that.

But do we really have to worry about a dying old diver?

Probably not.

But I'm nervous just in case the inspector might turn his attention that way.

If anyone who has been confined for annoying me or the authorities should talk,

we will have a problem in our hands.

Confined for annoying the authorities?

Perhaps it does require my attention.

How about silencing them altogether?

That could only end up attracting attention of the wary inspector.

I'll take care of the quarantine camp, so don't worry about it.

Quarantine camp?

Do this for me. And make sure he doesn't find out who sent it.

Why don't you just give it to him yourself if you're so worried?

Hong, the foreman of East Gate Brokers is asking to see you.

Please. I'm counting on you.

There is a quarantine camp in Jeju where those with contagious illnesses are managed.

But it's rumored that there are also healthy detainees who have been sent there as

punishment for defying authorities.

You might get the answers you seek there since it is a remote place where

hands of the government does not quickly reach.

Go there and look for the diver master.

But the quarantine camp is dangerous. If you feel a hot flash, chew the herb.

It can't be...

Would you remember me?

Could that gisaeng be Hong?

What's the urgent matter you wanted to see me about, sir?

Hong, we have a problem. I'm afraid Madam has gone to the quarantine camp.

The quarantine camp?

I shouldn't have told her what I did.

She said she had to go so she could help you.

I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen.

Hong!

Inspector, are you in?

This is a stationery from the gisaeng house.

Quarantine camp?

Is there a gisaeng named Hong here?

She just left.

Where? Where did she go?

If the inspector gets the information he needs from the diver master in quarantine,

West Gate won't be safe either.

It's your job to take care of this kind of problems.

What if Hong is the one who told him about this?

Hong?

It seems your inspector friend from Hanyang is attracted to Hong.

So...

So you want me to get rid of the diver master before the inspector finds her?

Sure. I'll fall for your shallow trick?just for the fun of it.

Handoogi diver master?

Who might you be?

By chance, do you know a diver named Eun Hong?

Eun Hong... Eun Hong...

Do you remember?

That girl was killed

for resisting authorities.

I remember she had

an infant child at the time...

But Eun Hong was captured and killed.

I am the one that helped

her deliver that child.

Eun Hong's daughter came to Jeju and became a gisaeng.

And to get her off the gisaeng register, I need someone to tell the gisaeng

house headmistress about the girl's birth mother.

Headmistress of the gisaeng house?

Are you talking about Myo Hyang?

Do you know her?

How about Choi Nam Gu? Is he still alive?

Those two are the ones that killed

Eun Hong and put me in here!

Hong's foster mother Myo Hyang is the

one that caused her birth mother's death?

Subtitled by KBS America

Do you know a diver named Eun Hong?

She was a friend of mine.

Then you must remember killing her as well.

I'm sure the diver who squealed on the office is among them.

I think I'm pregnant.

You've killed the diver master to shut her up, and now she cannot expose you.

Doesn't this call for a bigger celebration?

Get that wench out of here!

This is the proof that you've been looking for.

Prosecute Assistant Magistrate Choi.

He is on his way back with proof that will expose Daebang Kang's criminal activities.

I will raise the child in my womb to be the

next Daebang of Six Licensed Stores.