Original subtitles

Madam, you still have to pick one

Then I should eat it with rice and stew just as common people do

I've decided

Lady Choi's is better

Why do you think so, Madam?

You tell me yourselves

I know the reason

Really?

(Episode 16)

You see? They started all this only to fall in their own traps

What is food? It's tradition

How dare they underestimate our family!

But why do you think that happened?

The difference was probably the stew

since she decided after trying that How could their taste...

compete with our stew when we used milk?

But I didn't use milk...

You didn't? How come?

How could the common folks use precious milk?

So I didn't use it on purpose

That's great. Superb

So you're so good, you can win without using milk, eh?

Why did she decide with the stew instead of the side dish?

She said she couldn't decide only by tasting the side dishes

Jang-Geum said she had a great idea

And her ideas never failed

Great ideas... Yeah right

Could Jang-Geum have lost her sense of taste again?

Could it be? Is that why Lady Han said she knew the reason?

That's right. That must be it

You know that it takes a long time to boil the beef stew

but why were you so late?

I wanted to get good bones and meat

Why?

Since Keum-Young was going to get good ones and I wanted to win

What was this assignment?

To make a new dish that common folks can eat

Can common folks get good bones and meat for stew?

And can common folks use milk as a "secret ingredient?"

The reason why common folks eat beef stew with rice

is because they don't have much to eat

That's why they boil cheap bones for their health and taste

But you put aside all the basic attitudes about cooking

and you were running here and there just so you could...

come up with some shortcut with your smart brain just to win

I let you know about your talent for drawing up tastes...

after you thought of using charcoal...

using spring water for cold noodles and cabbage dumplings

But that talent has become poison to you instead

Do you just look for shortcuts all the time?

Madam...

The nursemaid lady of the Queen is recuperating because of her bad health

The Queen said she needs to be served so you can go

Madam!

Madam, I'm sorry. Please forgive me!

Get out

Madam, I won't ever do it again I won't do it again!

The competition will go on soon and didn't you say...

that we need to carry on Lady Jung's will?

That's why I'm telling you this

But, Madam...!

Get out

Madam...! Madam...! Madam!

Actually I was going to cancel the competition because...

you seemed to have infringed upon the Head Lady's authority

I let it go on because it seemed like part of the King's motive

to change the exams and hopefully it would help him

But it seems, the two competitors have a great difference in skills

Stews are the basic dish of cooking Do you think...

someone who tries to replace the devotion with milk...

deserves to be in charge of the Royal Kitchen?

Though it seems rather meaningless, since we decided to do it

I'll try to wrap it up quickly So tell them to work harder

You started the whole thing and got humiliated, eh?

Madam... Madam...

Lady Han told Jang-Geum to go to the nursemaid lady of the Queen

Though it turned out this way, she was only trying to get better ingredients

How could she tell her to go there?

And the use of plums was Jang-Geum's idea

It was because she was overzealous You don't need to be that harsh

No

But wasn't it a competition?

That's why I'm doing this to her

If she can change that easily according to situation

wouldn't she be more willing to change in other situations?

Don't you think you're overdoing it?

No. A competition is one of the least serious situations

in the palace and I don't need someone who changes that easily

The palace is a place where many people will use power

One can be threatened, or persuaded or get a promise of wealth

If one can't keep the same attitude at all times

then I'd rather go to the sauce pantry like you

Madam, I'm sorry I'll never do such thing again. Please

It was my mistake. I will never forget what you've taught me

and be diligent, remembering the basics

And if I leave, what are you going to do about the next round?

It'll be the end if you lose

Are you trying to disappoint me even more?

Madam...

Leave...

Since it's serving the nursemaid lady of the Queen

it shouldn't be hard, so don't worry

OK...

Once Lady Han feels better, she'll probably call you back

Madam, I'm leaving now

Madam, I'm sorry...

Madam, I'm sorry

I'm sorry, Madam

Jang-Geum

What brings you here?

What's with that bundle?

Have you turned mute or something? Hey, Jang-Geum

I'm on the way to serve the nursemaid lady of the Queen

Lucky you! I couldn't live a day in the palace

It's so stressful there

You're going on a trip!

But how come you look down?

Ma'am, is that so wrong?

What? What did you do wrong?

Lady Han lost in the competition because of me

She lost?

Then of course you did wrong When I see someone...

who gets defeated or doesn't receive proper payment

I feel like taking that person to the Han River and... I mean...

I didn't know Lady Han could be that harsh...

We all make mistakes in life...

She told you to go there 'cause of that?

Should I go and argue with her for you?

What? You're leaving already?

Jang-Geum

She's so unlike herself when she's depressed like that

What brings you here?

I came to meet Sir Min Jung-Ho

Lt. Gen. Min isn't here right now

He went to Un-Ahm Temple by the order of the King

Un-Ahm Temple? Then when will he be back?

I'm not sure

Don't you think Lady Han will pick a new apprentice?

Yes, it'll be hard without one

Jang-Geum should be back soon, though

That'll be unlikely, since she can come back

if the nursemaid lady's health gets better

You're right. She does need someone

since it's a competition to pick the Highest Lady

Who else is qualified besides Jang-Geum and Keum-Young?

Are you saying it's you?

Don't think so?

No way

How come?

If you can be one then I can be one too

Anyhow, she'll pick one of us for sure Isn't that right, Madam?

I don't know about that, but she does need to pick someone

And whoever that may be it'll be a ladder of success for her

Then, maybe I can wreak Jang-Geum's vengeance

What is it?

Madam, since you don't have Jang-Geum

you need someone to help you

Actually, though you shared your room with Jang-Geum

from when she was very young, people have been saying...

that you picked her because you shows favoritism to her

So in order to show them that it wasn't so

you need to pick someone else

Come to think of it, what you said is true

I'll help you, Madam! I'll work hard to help you!

Do you really want to do it?

Yes, Madam!

OK, then will you learn like how Jang-Geum did?

Yes, Madam! Just give me the orders

Bring me a bowl of water

Excuse me?

Bring me a bowl of water

Yes, ma'am

Bring it again

Excuse me?

Bring it again

Yes, ma'am

Bring it again tomorrow morning

Excuse me?

Yes, ma'am

Bring it again

Didn't you ask for water for washing?

Bring it again

What is it?

Madam, I'll help you

Really?

I can do it

You can really do it?

Yes, I'll try hard, Madam

Then find 100 herbs in three days

What?! 100 herbs?!

Do you think you can do it?

Ye... yes, I can do it

Isn't this enough?

How many do we have now?

We have about 10

We still have a long way to go How can we find 100?!

I wonder if there are 100 herbs in Chosun?

If you're going to leave in a few days, then forget it

No, I can do it for real

Are you sure?

Yes, I'll fill in for Jang-Geum while she's not here

I learned a lot from Jang-Geum so I'm pretty good

Then draw up a taste

What? Draw what?

Bring me ingredients that go with Sam-Haup-Jang-Gwa

Sam-Haup... Jang-Gwa? (abalone, trepang, mussel boiled in soy)

Why? You don't want to do it?

Oh, no, not at all!

You should've stayed quiet...

I can do it. Jang-Geum did it, so I can do it too

I'm going to do this for Jang-Geum

What a drama queen...

Trepang, abalone, sea mussel...

the seasoning is done by soy sauce... or salt?

Or is it by garlic? Or ginger? Or both?

Jang-Geum isn't here so I can't even ask...

Good luck...

I have to do this

So no one can do it?

Maybe Jang-Geum is a genius

How did she do it?

Genius? She just didn't want to pick any one of us

It's obvious We can't do such crazy things

That's right She only favors Jang-Geum...

Why else would she do such a thing?

Jang-Geum did it all

She brought the water?

100 different herbs?

She knows how to draw up a taste?

Yes

How come none of you brought the things I asked for?

I can't do it

Me neither

Me neither

Jang-Geum has endured my unique training

since she was young

Though you say I'm showing favoritism

weren't you trained by your trainer ladies?

I picked her because she knew my way of doing things

better than anyone else and there are no other motives

Then why did you send her away?

Why do you keep asking for water? I can't bring warm nor cold water

nor water with leaves

You already know

Would you bring me water?

Is your lower stomach aching?

No

Did you go to the bathroom today?

I did

Is your throat sore?

It gets sore very often

I put a little salt in warm water Don't drink it at once

but drink it slowly like tea

Madam, I'd like to go home with the days I get off...

from winning the last new dish competition

What for?

Just to take a break...

At a good time like this? Do you have a special reason?

No...

Then just stay here It's not a good time to relax

We must prepare for the next round of the competition

We should try to get things wrapped up

as soon as possible by the next round

That's why I want to go

There are some things I want to check...

Last time, I realized how much I didn't know

because I've been inside the palace all the time

It's something that will help me

If you really want to go, then go ahead

Why you...!

Why did you push me off when I was sleeping?!

You shouldn't have slept under the sun

But even so, you push off a sleeping person?!

What if this was a high cliff?!

It would've been big trouble!

You spread them when the clouds go and take them away when they're back

When it's sunny, you spread them Take them away, when it's not

You're so slow... Now I understand how my wife feels...

I miss my wife

She looks exactly like Jang-Geum

Duk-Gu

Jang-Geum! I'm sure you're not here to offer a mass

Did you come to serve the lady here?

Yeah yeah. That's great. I was bored

as I had no one to play with here

I thought I was going to become a bald monk here

Isn't anyone outside? Someone come inside!

The lady must've fainted

Please hold her...

OK

You're good

I don't think she can live long I think that's why...

she keeps on asking for the rice that her brother had given her

I think she became an orphan and begged for food with her brother

when she was young One day, her brother gave her...

a handful of rice when she was hungry She just devoured it

and when she looked at her brother he was sleeping like this

But actually he wasn't sleeping He was dead

It's a sad story

It has probably stayed in her heart all her life...

Now that her end is near, she keeps on thinking about her brother

and she keeps on saying she wants to eat that rice her brother gave her

It wasn't just regular rice She said it tasted chewy and savory

She said it wasn't cooked, nor was it made into rice cakes

How can raw rice be like that?

There isn't any rice like that?

No... I got all kinds of rice to cook for her...

But she keeps on saying no

Surely, it was because she was so hungry back then

How could you find such rice?

Now that you're here, I can relax now. Serve her well

I'm sorry, but would you be able to do that for a while?

What's wrong? You love cooking

I just feel a little tired...

Could it be because of the long walk coming here?

Jang-Geum, go and get some rest

I'm sorry

What happened?

It's just as you said

They say they never had a bad harvest of ginseng recently

What should we do?

If we don't act carefully we could lose track of them

so keep a low profile and wait until the criminal appears

Yes, sir

Sir! Sir!

Were you able to get it?

You're here empty-handed when I asked you for it

I begged you to buy me some drinks... You're so heartless...

I'm sorry... I forgot

By the way, did Lady Suh come to serve the lady here?

Did you see her?

Yes. But she seemed troubled Is there something wrong?

She didn't seem to be doing good either

Oh, I think...

no, that's probably not it...

I let you know about your talent for drawing up tastes...

after you thought of using charcoal...

using spring water for cold noodles and cabbage dumplings

But that talent has become poison to you instead

Good!

It was the obvious result

Good... good

Since it turned out this way, please talk to Sir Oh

so we can hurry the next round of the competition

I'll ask the Head Lady

Yes, it's better to finish this off quickly

I was going to meet him today anyway...

Who do they think they are?

Hello. How is Lady Jung?

There's a fight amongst themselves

What do you mean?

Lady Han sent away her apprentice

and Lady Jung and Lady Han aren't speaking to each other

As she was humiliated in front of the King's Mother

Madam, please tell her to hurry the competition

as we need more people in the kitchen

I think she's planning to do so

Really?

She might even cancel it, and have you be the Highest Lady

No, Madam I want to beat them for sure

That way, no court lady can go against you from now on

Yes. You ought to make sure it won't happen again

There were appeals that the yield of Sung-Kyun Col. Fields decreased sharply

There was an order to go and find out the reason

Isn't the district governor your subordinate?

Yes

The ginseng from deep mountains is considered the best

But even the lower quality ginseng is hard to get

And it takes over 10 years to get the common type

So there won't be a problem for the governor to give a report

Still... Just in case... You go meet the governor

Yes, sir... and please ask the King's Mother to speed things up

OK

Jang-Geum!

Jang-Geum

Hey, look. I got it, I got it

I hadn't had drinks and meat for a long time

so I thought I would die

Jang-Geum, shall we go someplace?

Where?

You're weird these days

You were always so cheerful and now you look so down

Jang-Geum, come with me

Where?

Just follow me. Let's go!

Duk-Gu, the ocean...

Yes...

Did he go somewhere?

He said he had a stomach problem

He did seem to be drinking a little too much

Duk-Gu has to secretly drink at home

and that's why he drinks so much when he's not home

He drinks secretly at home?

His wife is very strict

I've seen the ocean for the first time

It's been a long time for myself as well

I felt like I was a child again

When I was young, I caught rabbits even when my mother would hit me for it

Your mother must've been strict

How... did they pass away?

I heard it from Mr. Gang

It was because of me

My father was a military officer in the Royal Protectorate

The Royal Protectorate I work for?

Then what happened?

My father was there when...

the deposed Queen Yoon was poisoned

If I only didn't shout at that time... then my father would've been fine...

and because of that, even my mother...

I'm sorry...

Oh, no, I'm sorry for asking...

I'll be able to tell you more someday...

I put the prescription here so you just need to show it to him

Yes, sir

Even if he doesn't have it, you must get those on the list

because I need all of those to make the medicine

Yes, sir

Then have a safe trip

Yes, sir

Are you going to the marketplace?

I'm out of ingredients for medicine...

Good... I was headed to the marketplace myself

The pharmacy is that way

OK

Let's meet here two hours later

Sure

So did you find out?

Yes

Where is the rest of the ginseng going?

To the merchant Choi Pan-Sul

Merchant Choi Pan-Sul?

Yes. What should we do?

That's enough. Finding out what's going on was our mission

so you can go back

Yes, sir

Who are you?

You'll have to come with us

Are you OK?

We're almost there

Sir, what's going on?

We'll hide here for a while, please make sure they go elsewhere

Quickly... come this way

Even if they look through the house... this part is hard to notice

Search through the house!

Yes, sir!

What's going on?

They aren't here?

No!

There's a sick woman, these two here...

and praying monks

I'm a relative of a monk here... so you tell me and I'll take care of...

Is there a scholar-official and woman here?

Hmmm...

No such people are staying here! I'm a retired scholar at this temple

and only a sick woman and two people...

who are taking care of her are here

What brings you here?

Looking for some people

I've never seen such people around here

I think they escaped to some other place

Let's go!

Yes, sir!

You're leaving already?

Have a safe trip

You just let go of those gangsters?!

Just what have you been doing?!

What's going on?

I tried to find out something with my subordinates

and I think they've been tracking us down

They're gone

Why don't you eat with me in my room before you go?

Go ahead and sit down Go ahead. Go ahead

There are no side dishes because it's temple food...

Oh, no, it's a big feast

They're only herbs Go ahead and help yourselves

Lady Suh, you try some too It's very delicious

This is something you can't even make in the palace

How did you do it?

Of course... how can you compare it with the food in the palace?

I mean it. Please tell me the method

There isn't any

Please tell me. There's a secret method that only you know, right?

I said, there isn't any

Sir, please tell me

He's so slow and all he does is dry herbs and leaves...

Sir...

Why are you doing this? I really don't know anything

It's clearly different from the food in the palace

Of course whatever the King eats must taste better

No... the food you prepared last night was better...

Huh? Sir...

Then teach me how to dry them at least

It's the sun that dries them, not me!

Then where do you get the herbs?

They are abundant in the mountains, where else?

If you put in too much it will bloat and blow up

If it's too little, the rice will burn

Please teach me... Huh?

The second round has been ordered to be in a week

She'll give you different assignments, so prepare thoroughly

Do you understand?

Yes, ma'am

Are you really going to do it without Jang-Geum?

Yes

Keum-Young went home yesterday

Yes, Madam

On your way home, visit my brother's and tell her to come back

Sure

Jang-Geum, what happened?

He says she passed a crisis

That's a relief Anyhow, she should eat something

so the medicine can be more effective for her

You can't find the rice that she's asking for?

Unless it's steamed or rice for making wine

how can raw rice be chewy and savory? There's no such rice in this world

Rice for making wine... or steamed?

It's not completely dried yet

Does it become harder than white rice when it's dried?

Yep

Does it taste chewy and savory when you chew on it for a long time?

You know, eh?

This must be it. This must be the rice that the lady is asking for

The Lady is looking for Ol-gae rice?

What's Ol-gae rice?

You know that the harvest is a little late

for the rice fields on the hills

So it's hard to offer the ancestors new rice

When you cook the rice that's not fully ripe

the rice tastes really good

She was asking for that?

Yes... her brother passed away after giving her a handful of this rice

She said it tasted so good that she wants...

to take it with her when she dies

That's sad...

Give me some of this rice

Oh, no, not this!

Why not? We don't know when she'll pass away...

We must let her taste this before she dies

I understand, but the taste isn't perfect yet

Sir...

Only eat this after drying and grinding it completely

I'll use a quicker method to dry it

The taste comes only after over four days of good sunshine

Hey! It's not ready yet...

What should I do?

We don't have time to wait for 3 more days

please bring me more wood

That's right. This is so much faster, but that guy always...

puts it out and brings it back, again and again

Ow! That's hot! You told me to bring the wood, huh?

Try them. They're the ones you've been asking for

Why? They aren't?

I think they're the one

And?

It's not that taste... not good enough to give to my brother...

but thanks anyway

Sure

Good work. I tasted it and it was the taste...

that Lady Jo had been talking about

Yes, Jang-Geum. She probably wasn't able to taste it properly

because she's sick

But I want to make her wish come true

Can I come in?

Sure, come in

Ol-gae rice is ready now, so...

Madam...

It's hard, so chew it carefully

This is it... this is it

Now I can die in peace

Please put this rice in my coffin when I die

I must give some to my brother

There was no secret to this

Sir, there was no secret after all

Those herbs, the rice... your hard work and time...

of putting them out on sunny days and in, going back and forth

That was it!

That's right. My mother told me since you can't get your fill eating

you should get your fill with devotion put into the food

So you shouldn't feed someone with food...

that's been made quickly in a hurry

OK

Actually, I resented my instructor... As the results were bad...

I thought she didn't evaluate my talent...

which she always complimented me for After all, I did my best

But that wasn't it. My effort was to beat someone else

And even here, I was only trying to find out people's secret methods

But there were no secret methods The only secret...

was the sweat and devotion put into making it

For the rice, I thought I should use...

whatever technique available to fulfill her wish...

before she dies, but I couldn't move her heart

but the honest man's rice moved her heart

That's why Lady Han said my talents were poison to me

Because she was afraid I would be dependent on that only

I envy you for having such a great instructor

She was probably afraid that you might live that way

with the excuse that you have to accomplish your goals

But I trust you Though you may have made a mistake

you wouldn't give up the hope of putting a smile...

on the face of the person who eats the dish you prepare