Original subtitles

You wretches, you shall pay for this

Who killed her? Tell me everything

Three women are holding your fate

Although you killed the first woman you will not die

You ought to pay for your sin by death

You have saved her life

The second will die because of you even though you save her

Although I have saved you he said you will die because of me

I already owe you my life

Isn't he the blacksmith who makes knives in Dongjin Village?

He's not a baekjeong!

He's a military officer who protects the King!

And the third will kill you but she will save many lives

Mother! Mother!

Jang-Geum, become the Highest Kitchen Lady of the Royal Palace

and write down my grievances in the secret document that's passed down

I hid my grievances in your Chinese character book

It's your choice If you don't want to be a court lady

or don't become the Highest Kitchen Lady

you must not read it, or show others

If you do enter the palace, you can find my recipe list

hidden in the main middle kitchen Use it when you need it

You'll find my breath there

(Episode 3)

Don't scream! Be quiet!

You're going to keep quiet, right?

I'm going to test you

So you are quiet

By the way, who are you?

Who are you?

You don't need to know. You...

Father, aren't you done yet?

You're a thief

What? Thief?

Aren't you stealing something?

Quiet. My wife is so mean, she won't give me my money

You're a victim, too?

Then you, too? Poor kid

You're hungry, aren't you? Eat this It's steamed rice for making wine

People aren't born thieves Mean people make them thieves

Father, hurry!

OK, I'm coming out

Take as much as you can

Here... Be careful

Who's this? Who are you? Who the heck are you?

Why this...

My liquor! My liquor!

Oh, my! That thief took all of it

I'm going to catch that thief! Hey!

Thanks for the food

Sure

You shouldn't be around here

Go get a bowl of soup from the kitchen and leave

Please give me a bowl of rice and soup

Rice and soup? Do you have any money?

Yes

Let me see

Where did this little kid get such money?

He sold the liquor he stole from me

No, I didn't steal it

I saw it clearly with my two eyes How dare you lie

No, it wasn't me!

Whatever... let's go Let go!

I caught the thief Why should I let go?

Oh, my...

I finally caught the thief Tell me how much you've stolen

It wasn't me

Then who else could it be?

It wasn't me... I saw a thief earlier...

And?

Mister...

What's wrong with him? What's wrong?

I'm feeling dizzy Must've lost energy

Ha! You eat everything that's good for health

Get up. Get up quickly. Get up

Mother, look at him

Why did he collapse suddenly?

Hey, hey, what's wrong with you?

Child, say "ah"

She'd kill me if she finds out

I'd be beaten and bleed to death

So when you regain strength I'll help you escape

Run far away. OK?

That's the only way for both of us to stay alive

You eat like a cute baby bird

Are you crazy? We don't even have enough porridge for Ildo

and you're feeding the thief?!

Even so, as a Royal Chef, how could I be indifferent to a dying...

Stop the nonsense!

You'll pop my ear This is the only good ear left...

If you cook food for the King go get your pay on time

And you... where is your mother? I'll take you to her, so let's go

Stop staring at me like that and tell me. Where is she?

She passed away

She passed away?

How about your father?

He, too...

What a pity...

Your father too?

I have no place to go, so please take care of me for now

Oh, no...

Don't even say such a thing Let's go now

Mother, Father...

Be quiet. What do you know?

It's 15 days' worth You can stay for that long

Thank you

15 days? It's more like 20 days

Ouch... my back... It aches so much...

Jang-Geum, don't be sad

Don't cry and don't give up easily

Your father will be with you whatever path you go

and I'll be with you wherever you are

Why, that... You're still sleeping?

Why, that lazy old man...!

Aren't you going to get water?! Why you...!

My back hurts I always have to tell you to go!

I'm so sick of this!

How come he's not awake yet? Hey!

Aren't you going to wake up?

He isn't here

Why...!

So you're a girl?

Yes

So you were with the lady who came to ask...

Yes

I know I'm going to die before my time because of this back...

My back... ouch...

My back's killing me...

I know I'm going to die before my time because of this back...

What's this?

What are you doing?

Stay still. Warm it up like this, it's good for your back

You're suffering from pain everyday

Please lie down

Thanks for taking care of me

Thanks for what? Even if you spent your whole life working here

you won't be able to pay for all of the stolen liquor

so don't even think about running away. Understand?

Yes

How refreshing! It feels so good!

You try writing now

Me? No...

Try writing

Where are you going?

2 years later 12th year of Yeonsan-Kun's Rule (1506)

This is for the head of the government officials

This is for the head of the Ministry of Arts

Yes, I know. I memorized it all

I have to hurry somewhere for the King's medicinal food

so let's meet here at around 6:00. OK?

OK

And what do you say at home?

You did it all by yourself

That's right. I'll see you later

Don't be late OK

What medicinal food? He's going somewhere to drink again

Minister Yu, Governor Jang and Minister Hong have joined us

Those who will kill the Shin brothers, Yim Sa-Hong

and others who have risen to power through him have been designated

How about the entry to the palace?

The Royal Guards have come to our side

The Royal Cavalry & Royal Protectorate are still unclear

Then there will be conflict...

It's not complete but we've thought of a plan

Go ahead and tell him

You know that Choi Pan-Sul who's providing us with funds

and warriors is the nephew of the Highest Lady of the Royal Kitchen

So what does that matter?

We've told her to put something in the Protectorate & Cavalry's food

They won't be in their normal shape

That's an excellent move Can she pull it off?

She's been there from the beginning There won't be any mistakes

Then there is only one thing left to do

How are you going to tell this to Prince Jinsung

the rightful successor as the son of King Sungjong?

Yim Sa-Hong has policemen surround him everyday

under the name of protecting him

How can we tell him?

You have any good ideas?

Yes

Yeah?

There is a way to avoid detection by Yim Sa-Hong

What? Are you out of your mind?

Sir, we've come to this conclusion after much contemplation

A 10 year-old girl?

Yes, that's right

That's the only way for us

She has gone there a few times to deliver drinks

and she'll be delivering tomorrow too

But how could we let such a weighty matter depend on a little child?

You shouldn't worry too much

It could be better that she knows nothing

But she could also tell everything because she doesn't know

Mak-Ke, who has been watching her, said she's very intelligent

And to make sure...

an assassin will follow her

If she happens to be captured by the police

or discovered by others

she can be...

Jang-Geum, listen to me carefully This is for the General's house

and this is for Prince Jinsung. OK?

Yes, I know. Don't be late today

OK, I'll be back soon

Jang-Geum! Jang-Geum!

Jang-Geum... are you bringing drinks to Prince Jinsung today?

Yes

I'm glad I met you I'll pay you for your services later

Please deliver these for me

Sir Park Won-Jong is personally sending these to him as birthday gifts

so you must deliver them to him personally. OK?

OK

And there are names for these wines Tell the Prince...

that he can enjoy the best taste by drinking them in this order. OK?

OK

You can memorize it by looking at the colors, right?

And there is another thing If someone asks you anything

just tell them you're delivering drinks to the Prince as usual. OK?

If you don't do it, what do you think I will do to you?

I'm going to send you to a place with two tigers!

So you must obey and don't make any mistakes. OK?

Here, go ahead

It's that girl

Don't make any mistakes

Yes, sir

Stop!

Where are you going?

I'm delivering drinks to the Prince

Drinks?

It's OK. It's the same delivery girl

Are you here by yourself today?

Yes

Go ahead

Is my mother doing well?

Yes...

Why do you look so sad?

Though she has told me to tell you she's doing well

actually she is not

The King has cancelled all the regular study meetings

and invites all types of entertainers for daily partying

and reckless debauchery...

I've heard about it too I heard that when Eunuch Kim Chuh-Sun

told him to stop it he shot an arrow at him

Yes

Your mother has told me to tell you that you must be very careful

Sire, Sir Park Won-Jong has sent drinks for your birthday

Sir Park Won-Jong?

Bring them in Yes

Is the person who brought these still here?

Yes, but it's a child

A child? Send her in

What are these drinks? Why ask for him?

I'm not sure

How dare you... in front of the Prince!

I want to become a court lady in the Royal Kitchen

Please take me with you

How rash of you! Show proper courtesy to the Prince!

I don't know how she could be so insolent even if she's uneducated

I'm overwhelmed with shame, sir

It's all right. She must really want to become a court lady

Did you bring these drinks?

Yes, sir

Did you say Sir Park Won-Jong sent these?

Yes, sir

He didn't say anything else?

No, he only said they're to congratulate you on your birthday

each drink has a congratulatory message

and you should drink them in order

You mean in this order?

No, sir

Then what order?

First is "Keumhyun," next "Chunchun," next "Gidang,"...

and lastly "Sawi"

Do you know the characters?

I've picked up a few here and there

What a child...

What's wrong?

Nothing... it's nothing

Sire...

You can go back now

Yes, sir

You should go back, too

Wait!

What's your name?

My name is Jang-Geum

What are you going to say to the person who sent you?

It's all right. You can tell me

I will tell him that you have accepted them gratefully

but you looked deeply troubled

Is that how I looked to you?

OK. Tell him that

Like she said, you do look deeply troubled. What is it?

It's nothing. She's very bright

Though she seems like a tomboy I think so, too

If you can, do fulfill her wish

That's all

Madam! I want to become a court lady in the Royal Kitchen

Please do take me

How dare you! Get out of here before I beat you

"Keum-chun-gi-sa" The sky of today is already dead

"Hyun-chun-dang-wi" Sky to come ought to be the sky

Just what could these mean? These are surely from...

"The War of Hwanggeonjeok" written by Jang Gak...

"The blue sky is dead already and the sky of Hwanggeonjeok...

ought to be the sky." So they only changed the first characters...

"Keum-chun," meaning sky of today referring to the King

and "Hyun-chun" meaning sky to come referring to my name Hyun

Sir Park Won-Jong is... he is... plotting treason with me in the front

What should I do?

I do not want to be the king when they succeed

nor do I want to be killed when they fail

OK. Good job

Yu Bin who was exiled to Jeolla Province is

already sending manifestos and up in arms

We must hurry

So how did it go?

He told her to say that he has accepted them gratefully

but he was deeply troubled

This means he has accepted it

We could lose the initiative and may not be able...

to assume leadership of politics later

Sir!

OK. We'll hurry and do it tonight

Did my wife ask them to catch me or something?

Kill him! Kill Yim Sa-Hong!

Yim Sa-Hong? Kill Yim Sa-Hong?

It must be treason! My money!

I still haven't received his payment

Yim Sa-Hong, pay me for my drinks!

The reforming party successfully enthroned Prince Jinsung

who is known as King Jungjong

Wait

I held up my sword like this and Yim took out his sword like this

So I ran up to him and yelled, "Felon Sa-Hong, receive my blow!"

And then what, Father?

Hey, I'm someone who can pull out a gall from a live bear

Do you think I'd be afraid of a little sword?

So did you get out of the way?

Not just get out of the way, but I threw...

Finally, it has come

I'll be recognized as the most valuable King's servant

Is this the residence of Chef Gang Duk-Gu?

Yes, I'm Gang Duk-Gu

Is there a girl named Jang-Geum here?

Yes, but...

Are you Jang-Geum?

Yes

You want to be a court lady?

Huh? Yes

Pack up. Let's go to the palace

Jang-Geum, if you don't want to go tell me and I'll try to get you out

Since he's a chef he knows many madams in the palace

I want to go

Hey, if you go there you can't be married for life and...

She says she wants to go!

Hey, my ear is bad as it is...

Anyway, if you enter the palace we won't be able to support you

Usually they have to provide different clothing

for different seasons and provide food for madams

but don't ever expect such things from me

Mother! Hey!

Why are you yelling at me?

She never mentioned anything to us!

If you want to go, then leave quickly and don't make me more upset

Please receive my obeisance

We must leave now

Who are you?

I came to ask a question

Let's leave now

Look at her... this is why you shouldn't accept...

any living thing into your family

Do you really have to go?

The palace is a scary place Don't go there, Jang-Geum

How dare you say that!

We're running late. Let's hurry

So she's leaving...

When did you take her in? About 2 years ago?

You want to know?

Yes

Then pay up

Huh?

If you really want to know then pay about 100 nyang

Didn't she come here with an injured woman about 2 years ago?

What? With... with a woman?

NO!

Go get water now! I told you we shouldn't take her in

Who's going to do all the work now? And who's going to rub my back?

Get going right now!

It's wasn't my idea to take her in...

Let's go

Now we'll test your virginity. Start

What is your name?

My name is Han Kwan-Duk

Roll up your sleeve

A fairy of Mt. Tai Shan in China violated the rules

and fell in love with a general As a punishment...

she couldn't say any words of her own, but only repeat what others said

One day she saw an officer plotting to kill the general

So she lured him to some place to kill him

but at the moment of killing him, the general found them

The officer lied to the general saying

she had been seducing him and the fairy who couldn't speak

her own words repeated what he had said

The angry general cut her throat Her spirit became a parrot

and for that reason the blood of a parrot has been used

to test the virginity in the Chinese Imperial Household

You'll be rejected if the blood flows down

for it means you aren't a virgin

I'm sorry, Madam I accidentally touched her arm

Do it again

Sure

OK

Now we'll head to the palace so get things ready

There's the King! Where? Where?

Over there!

Be quiet! How dare you make noise in here

Mother! I'm in the palace I've finally come here

I'll be the court lady in this place where you were

This is the palace. All women who enter the palace are the King's women

We don't allow anything less than perfection both in conduct and speech

Learn everything well and be great ladies

All rise!

You don't automatically become new brides just by entering the palace

You will have rigorous training early every morning for the next 15 days

And on the 15th day, you'll be assigned to your quarters

Of course, if you don't learn well you'll be cast out of the palace

so be ready and sleep in the rooms assigned by the attendants today

Stop wiping the floor and get the blankets

This isn't straight! Put the pillows over there!

What have you been doing anyway? Put the pillows over here!

It's not straight over there! Straighten it up!

Just what is this? It's filthy!

Give it back to me. Come on

How filthy!

Come on

You come over here and you go over there

How irritating... Just what is this...?

You and you there sleep over there, and I'll sleep on this warm side

Whose is this?

It's mine

Why did you bring it back? Throw it away!

Who are you?

Me? I'm Young-Ro

Why throw away others' stuff? Right

Why designate others' sleeping places? Right

Because I think I'm the oldest here and...

If you're the older one, you ought to choose the drafty spot and

let the younger ones have the warm side

That's right And you make us do all the work

That's right! That's right!

How do you read this?

It reads "Goong-joong-yeo-kwan"

What does it mean?

It could mean a woman with an official position in the palace

That's right. This is the official title for a court lady

A court lady is a lady official of the government

Therefore, in order to fulfill your duties, you must have

basic knowledge and keep your rank with dignity

You must flawlessly serve the superiors

and not lose your dignity to the lower rank

You're young but you can be 5th class court ladies

And you've been selected from middle and upper class families

Therefore, in identity, you're distinct from the servant girls

and the nurses who are chosen from the servant girls

You must display dignity to them

Take her out!

Why? What are you doing?

You're from a peasant class You don't know the basics

Why do you say I don't know the basics?

Weren't you adopted by the liquor place? My uncle told me

You know him too, don't you? He's a guard of the main palace

and he owns a dance bar, Sir Yoon Mak-Ke

I don't know how your kind got into this palace

but I can't sleep in the same room with you!

Open up! Open up!

Low ones like you should stay outside and keep watch

I'm not low!

Then who are your father and mother? What do they do?

My father is...

You must not tell anyone I was a military officer

And my mother is...

I was a court lady in the Royal Kitchen...

They aren't low

You heard it too, didn't you? Court ladies...

are selected from the middle or high class

I wonder how that thing came in here

She even boasts about her learning

Why don't you listen to her?

Mother always tells me not to do the things I want to do

You like learning that much?

Yes, Father! It's truly amazing how I can write

Look. How could you write "black" like this?

Isn't it amazing?

Jang-Geum, do you really want to learn the characters?

Yes

I'll start teaching you tomorrow, so stop going to the school

Jang-Geum, don't be sad

Don't cry and don't give up easily

Jang-Geum, become the Highest Kitchen Lady of Royal Palace

and write down my grievances in the secret document that's passed down

If you do enter the palace, you can find my recipe list

hidden in the main middle kitchen Use it when you need it

You'll find my breath there

Turtle, please make my mother well again

Jang-Geum!

Hi, Yeun-Seng

Where are you going?

The middle kitchen

The middle kitchen? Where is that?

I heard it's at the King's main palace

Main palace?

Yeah

We were told to stay in here

Yes, but I must go

You can't. You'll get into trouble You shouldn't do this

Why don't you go back inside?

No! I won't go back inside by myself

I'll go back inside with you

Bye

Jang-Geum!

Let's go back. We came too far

Who's there?

Tiger!

Jang-Geum, there must be a tiger...

No, it's all right

Who's there?

It was only a cat. Let's go

How can you be here at this time?

How about you?

It's all ruined because of you

What?

The last farewell

The last farewell?

I had a crush on a guy who lives here since I lived at home

You're crazy

He passed the Sama Exam at the age of 16

So?

Elders of my family forced me to be a lady of the court

You know this too... that a court lady is the King's lady

and he had the highest score on the Sengjin Exam today

so he's meeting with the King

So I realized today that he isn't someone I should keep in my heart

He's a yangban (scholar-official) And I'm from a middle class

He's a servant of the King, and I'm the King's woman

So I was making my farewells, but you ruined it

Then do it again

We'll be on the watch for you

Not me... not me...

Will you really do that for me?

Thank you

You know this is a secret, right?

Of course!

No... no...

Just follow me

Middle kitchen

What are you going to find in the dark?

If we wait a little, we'll be able to see...

I can't see anything

Just wait

You can see a little now, right?

It should be somewhere...

Ouch! Yeun-Seng! Yeun-Seng!

Who are you? Get the lamp closer to them

What are you doing here?

Oh, my! Madam, the King's midnight snack...

What shall we do now? When Lady Choi finds out about this

our lives won't be spared

Lady Choi isn't the problem now Soon, eunuchs will be coming

and the head of food services, and the head lady... we're dead!

What are we going to do?

And tonight's snack was the precious milk porridge too

Be quiet! We can't make food here, so go to the Royal Kitchen

and bring any ingredients you can find

But, we don't have time...

Hurry...

Sure

Was the door open?

No, it's locked

All I could find were these

Ginger and lotus roots?

Yes, someone must've forgotten to take these after peeling them

How could we make snacks with these? We're dead now

I was right next-door and I wasn't even aware the kids came here

Peel them

What?

Hurry and peel the ginger

Sure

You girls, come over here. Here

Peel the ginger quickly