Secret Royal Inspector Joy (2021–…): Season 1, Episode 4 - Episode #1.4 - full transcript
ALL CHARACTERS, ORGANIZATIONS,
LOCALES, AND EVENTS ARE USED
IN AN ENTIRELY FICTITIOUS MANNER
AND NOT BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS
-What's wrong?
-Look…
-Look…
-What?
-Over there.
-Where?
If you're a ghost, go away!
If you're human…
Bo-ri?
Bo-ri.
How wronged she must have felt.
Have you gone insane?
Do you want to get bewitched by a ghost?
A ghost or whatever, she's my friend.
Bo-ri!
Bo-ri!
Bo-ri!
Bo-ri…
What is that?
Goblin fire. I'm busy. Go away.
Oh, that's hot!
Bo-ri!
Bo-ri…
-Let go of me. Hold on.
-Bo-ri…
-This is not it…
-What?
Wait…
What's wrong with her?
What are you doing here?
Kids! No!
That's…
So, you've been
pretending to be ghosts here
to keep people away?
Yes, to survive. We have no other choice.
It's mulberry juice.
It looks just like blood.
By any chance, do you have a twin sister?
Or do you have a cousin around your age?
I'm an orphan and the only one
of my bloodline in this world. Got it?
Then how are you all related?
-If you're not brothers and sisters--
-No! We're family!
We're family!
We may not share blood,
but we grew up together
like a family in the orphanage.
We are family.
I'm sorry.
You look so much like my late friend.
I'm sorry if I was rude.
Anyway, the kids look quite sick.
What happened to their eyes?
They caught a disease
while drying medicinal herbs.
-Medicinal herbs…
-It'll make you sick if you eat it.
My lord, they all seem a bit off.
Let's just go.
We should get out of here
before they do anything to us.
What herb was it?
Why don't you stop being nosy
and be on your way?
Before the people who seem off
do something to you.
No.
I need to know.
They rubbed their eyes with
the hands they used to dry the herbs.
If your eyes come into
direct contact with it, you go blind.
-This herb called aconite.
-Aconite?
Tell me in detail.
How you all ended up like this…
I must hear it.
Follow me.
It's all right.
It's all right. Don't worry.
When kids at the yujeobso turn ten,
they are either adopted
by families or become slaves.
The kids here were sent
to Soyang Trading Group as slaves
and they escaped.
They broke the ordinance and escaped?
ORDINANCE: RULES AND LAWS
They had no other choice.
Cha Mal-jong,
the head of the trading group,
colludes with the village officials
to make excessive profits
in the public impost process.
He hoards the inventory to sell later
and has amassed great wealth.
He was a madman who tormented and toyed
with the slave children
whenever he felt like it.
He would starve those who were
unable to obey or refused his orders.
And some of them even ended up dying.
Why did you not report him?
Joseon law forbids slaves
from reporting their owners.
Furthermore, Joseon law permits owners
to punish their slaves however they wish.
Were you not aware of this?
They'd just say the kids deserved
punishment or died because they were weak.
Because not a single official cared
when a child died.
When people had enough,
a few like-minded adults joined hands
and started smuggling the kids
from the trading group to bring them here.
Which is why
we even spread rumors
about ghosts to keep people away.
Still, you can't live
deep in the mountains like this.
-Are you sick?
-Those children should
see a doctor as soon as possible.
As soon as the boat
to Gapbigocha comes in,
I plan on leaving with the kids.
Go to sleep.
I heard that place has a village
made for orphans like us
and hwanhyangnyeos.
HWANHYANGNYEO: A WOMAN THAT
HAD RETURNED HOME AFTER THE WAR
Did you just say hwanhyangnyeo?
I heard repatriated prisoners of war
that were kicked out of their homes
and orphans were welcome there.
Since the village leader is
a woman who suffered the same fate.
I'm here because I heard
you can get beef here.
There's no beef because of the beef ban.
Come on, now.
We heard the rumors
that you bring beef to the beggars' huts.
You must have some left
for the royal kitchens.
I don't even have any
for the King, so go back.
She could just say it's not enough.
This should be
worth 70 rolls of hemp fabric.
We'll leave.
We're leaving.
We are.
Have some of this to appease your hunger.
But this is so precious…
I heard there wasn't even enough meat
for the royal ceremonies
because of rinderpest.
We can't let the living starve
so we have enough to offer to the dead.
It's not much, but come have some.
-Thank you.
-Thank you.
Hand the baby over and eat.
How pretty you are…
Do you also have a child?
I heard
she lost her child early on.
And that's why she works
so hard to save children.
What do you plan on doing now?
I'm planning to smuggle out as many kids
as I can from the trading group.
Isn't it better to just report it?
That's like telling
Cha Mal-jong where these kids are.
Right…
I will go myself.
You're not going to Gongjinchang?
I need to check something for myself.
I'll go, so let me know
if you need anything.
To tell you the truth,
my mother is also a hwanhyangnyeo.
I want to help in any way I can.
Then…
I have a favor to ask.
There's something I need you to do
for me at Soyang Trading Group.
-Toss it.
-Yes, sir.
Should I give up or keep going?
Give up or keep going?
What are you doing?
I'm sorry, sir.
It's fine.
Why waste time apologizing
when you can be beaten to death?
Right? Don't you agree?
Look at me.
There you go.
My goodness! You foolish girl!
I apologize, sir.
A beating won't be enough.
We must teach a lesson to brats like her.
She must be straightened out now,
or she won't take mistakes seriously.
I'll drag her to the shed
and punish her by hanging her up.
Let's go, you brat!
All right. Go ahead then.
You'll find an older servant
named Gwang-soon there.
Usually, she sneaks the kids
out of there and I pick them up.
But as you can see,
I can't leave these sick children alone.
So could you pick them up for me?
Look.
Men who look like servants
are all armed with swords.
How deep must the collusion run
for them to have
armed thugs running around?
Those bastards are completely insane.
The government officials are all in on it.
How do we get them?
We must acquire concrete evidence.
Or we won't stand a chance.
I'm sure they have
a secret ledger in there.
You're not going in there
right now, right?
It's going to be a while
until Moo-jeok brings backup here.
Here.
Do you think you can
deliver this before dawn?
Your family's safety depends on you.
It's your favorite, yakgwa.
Yakgwa!
Not now.
Eat it when you arrive at yeokcham,
do you understand?
Hold on.
START
ARRIVE
It stings!
Hello.
While we wait for backup,
we'll get in there and buy time
while looking for evidence.
But won't they get suspicious
if three strange men walk in?
Of course, we can't just go in.
It's all right. You're safe now.
Are you hurt?
I'm all right.
You must have been very scared.
It's all right.
I'm sorry for hitting you earlier.
Have a drink.
Drink up.
I think you should stay here for a bit.
I'll let you out once it's safe outside.
You cannot come out before then.
If Cha Mal-jong sees you,
we don't know what will happen.
Even if it's a bit stuffy,
just be patient.
Yes.
Get back.
Sit down.
LINENS
What are you doing?
Come on out.
Come now. Come on out.
Happy?
Are you?
No. It's killing me.
You're so cute, it's killing me.
Now,
the two of you
shall be lovers.
Absolutely ridiculous.
We'll go with siblings.
All right. Then you shall be siblings.
Are you really the same person?
My, you look like
a completely different person.
Really?
Does it not suit me at all?
Then,
what about this?
My goodness. Have you been well?
Hello, Gwang-soon.
I've been waiting for you.
-Wait here for a second.
-Yes.
The meeting place is the linen shop.
Did anything happen?
Of course not. Nothing ever happens here.
Bi-ryeong hasn't come yet.
But what about the child?
There was another incident today,
so she's locked up in the shed.
I'll bring her
when I come back later today.
Go on and get back.
If you're gone for too long,
you'll be in trouble.
-I'll go now.
-All right.
-Follow her.
-Yes.
You dropped this.
Yes.
-Thank you.
-The password is
-"I came from Heunhaengi Hill."
-I came from Heunhaengi Hill.
I heard there will be
a party in this village.
So I came hoping to make a few bucks.
That's great!
We were actually very short-staffed.
Let me carry that for you.
Oh, thank you so much.
You should go this way.
-This way?
-Yes.
We should get to work as well.
-Go on.
-You must be hungry.
Did you get someone skilled?
He's a carpenter that participated
in the palace reconstruction.
I told him to use only the best materials
that were used for the palace,
so no need to worry.
What about the layout of the house?
He mentioned that it would be ideal
to arrange the structures
in the shape of the "day",
"month", or "nine" characters.
The "day" and "nine"
characters seemed plain
so I asked him to go
with the character for "month."
I heard from the other lords
that the preferred layout nowadays
is shifting from "month" to "luck".
Oh, my.
Is that so?
I'm unaware of the latest trends.
I apologize, sir.
My eldest son will live in this house.
Yes. Of course, my lord.
I actually like this one better.
I hate complicated things.
I prefer this one, Dad.
But this layout will bring you luck.
And how many times
have I told you to speak properly?
You shouldn't call me "dad."
Yes, Father.
Excuse me.
Look here, Carpenter.
I need to speak to you.
You are a minister's son.
When will you stop acting like a kid?
Father, do not worry about me.
You should worry about Tae-seo.
Why are you worried about him?
A report regarding
the dead inspector was submitted.
What?
Tae-seo always leaves a trace behind.
You're about to be completely exposed
because he couldn't
take care of one inspector.
You punk, watch what you say!
Why do you need to be cautious?
-You put the King on the throne.
-Watch it.
Father, you're the leader of the noblemen
and the loyal subject
who put the King on the throne.
What are you so worried about?
We haven't found the ledger yet.
It seems His Majesty the King got
the chief scholar involved.
It'll get tiresome
if he acquires evidence.
It never hurts to be careful.
It's been a while
since I saw you being so serious.
Tae-seo harbors resentment
because he's an illegitimate child.
That's why he used my title
as the chief state councilor
to coax the countryside officials
and increase his own assets.
So,
even if the ledger is discovered,
the evidence won't point to us…
but to Tae-seo.
What are you talking about?
My apologies, master!
Please forgive me!
Then work.
Without fearing death.
That desperation will save Joseon.
You can't live as slash-and-burn farmers,
servants,
and slaves forever!
Regardless of class!
Those who sweat and produce results
should be rewarded.
We must create…
such a world together.
Master.
Until that happens,
you must be willing to make sacrifices.
Yes.
-Do you understand?
-I do!
What are you talking about?
Tae-seo only has eyes for you.
"Father, I await your command."
"Father, is this enough?"
"Father, can I fetch you something?"
You're so scary, Dad.
You'll do that to Tae-seo
who tries that hard?
That makes me feel so bad for Tae-seo.
Not all brothers are the same.
So Do-soo,
you must brace yourself.
I will, Dad.
Don't worry too much.
My lord.
Do you have any pheasant meat?
I must pay tribute.
I do.
I just got some fresh
pheasant meat from Suanbo.
How much is it?
It's 200 rolls of cotton for one.
You could buy a horse
with 200 rolls of cotton.
My goodness. How can pheasant meat
cost as much as a horse?
Then go get flogged
for not paying tribute.
If you don't want that,
you can sell one of your children.
My goodness! My lord!
Please give me a discount.
My son is sick and lying down in a cart.
I can't even pay for his medicine.
Forget it! Damn it.
My lord! Please.
What are you looking for? Pheasant?
Get me a plump one.
Here you go.
This is pretty good.
So this is how the pheasant meat
given out to pay for lunch
made its way to the palace.
How is this a country?
Corruption is in every corner.
I seriously need to get out of Joseon.
You must be craving alcohol,
seeing how you're loitering around here.
Right?
This is hahyangju,
which only the King gets to drink.
Well? Do you want a taste?
Do you want a sip?
No, I'm good.
We occasionally drink it too.
It is very famous after all.
My goodness. You must be
a pretty big hotshot yourself.
Fearlessly snarfing down a royal offering.
You'll be dead meat
if the Uigeumbu squad catches you.
Well, rather than live my life as a fool
constantly worrying about the law,
I choose to eat everything I want
and end up as a good-looking ghost.
Don't you agree, Chil-guk?
Of course.
The law is crap.
I, Chil-guk, would rather
quit pooping than drinking.
Pal-soon, what about you?
Of course, my dear brother.
It's the most thrilling
when you break the law.
My sister is quite shy.
You're so pretty.
Do you know that you're cute?
Come inside.
What are you doing?
He just said he's pretty, right?
-Let's go.
-Yes, sir.
This is insane.
The ingredients are top-quality.
Naturally.
They were all
supposed to be royal offerings.
It's not just food.
There's also hemp fabric.
Hey, you scoundrels.
Let's go to the backyard.
Sure. The weather is perfect.
You're here, Mal-jong.
Hey, there.
Why are you bastards always here?
Keep playing.
Come here.
Sit.
Pretty Girl, you sit next to me.
Bring the food!
I don't mean to be rude,
but do you mind
if I ask who your father is?
I should know who the family is
before I accept a meal…
I don't have a father.
I'm a child with no father.
Pretty Girl.
Have a drink.
This is…
not hahyangju.
What?
What do you mean?
This is the aroma of chamomile,
not lotus flowers.
I even detect a hint of ginger
and the pungent aroma of red peppers.
This is hansan sogokju, isn't it?
You really are a man about town.
I was thinking
if you were some measly secret
royal inspector here to play some tricks,
I'd kill
and bury you.
You even know
what hansan sogokju tastes like.
Are you a real scoundrel?
Great.
So he tested me on purpose?
Bring more alcohol!
I noticed on my way in
that this place has everything.
Do you trade medicinal herbs as well?
We don't deal with medicinal herbs.
The one in charge of that
is such a damn stickler.
I can't be bothered to deal with him.
Is that so?
She definitely said that
it happened while drying aconite.
But where did you
get all this alcohol from?
-Do you make it as well?
-What?
You know…
Pretty Girl, where are you from?
Why does that even matter?
What matters is that we met here today.
You're quite the romantic, aren't you?
-But…
-Yes?
Where do you make…
all this alcohol?
All the way over there at Jinsan.
There's a valley called Baekgwiryeong.
That's where it's all made.
What do they make other than alcohol?
They make alcohol, weave hemp fabric,
and even extract silver…
Silver? Did he just say silver?
Thanks to you,
I got all this work done in no time.
Thank you for carrying
all this for me too.
Don't mention it.
Just let me know if there's anything else
and pack me a few extra yukjeon.
Where is the child?
In the storage shed.
In the backyard of the annex,
you'll find a side door.
Once I bring the child there,
get her out through it.
Actually, the caterer was looking
for an extra kitchen maid.
There's going to
be a party today, you see.
Is that so? I'm actually a great cook.
Really? That's great.
-Let's go. This way.
-Yes.
How much longer must we keep this up?
If my calculations are correct,
he should've arrived at yeokcham by now.
I'll stall. You search the house.
We must find the trade ledger.
Also, see if they have
a shed for medicinal herbs.
Can't you only look at me?
All right.
I'll only look at you.
Wait…
I think you mentioned something
about silver extraction earlier?
But silver isn't sesame seed oil.
What did you mean by extract?
Why do you keep asking questions?
That's suspicious.
Your taste in women…
How can the guest of honor be so late?
We're holding this party for you!
How can you be so late?
Baekgwiryeong was covered in fog.
Then again, it's pretty rough out there.
Wait, are you sure it's fog and not smoke?
Coming out of there?
We have a long way to go before that.
We're just getting started.
Anyway, it's fine as long as
your father didn't throw a fit.
I was worried that old geezer might again.
Who are you?
Me?
They're just scoundrels passing through.
One of us.
One of us?
And who is your father?
My father…
Father?
I don't think he's one of us,
seeing how he uses the word "father".
What's up? Do you like her?
I just brought her from the yujeobso.
YUJEOBSO: THE CENTRAL PUBLIC FACILITY
THAT RESCUED ORPHANS
Let's not do anything that could make us
look bad. We should be careful.
Nothing will happen.
I talked it all out with the nangcheong
and cooked the books
for all the slave deals.
Anyway, just lie low for the time being.
Especially until we catch the inspector.
What?
Another inspector was dispatched
after we took care of the other one?
Damn it.
Do I need to send the kids out again?
I already did.
I don't know what tree they're barking up.
Anyway, if he shows up
in this tiny village,
he'll just end up becoming
a trapped mouse.
He's more than welcome
to pass through here.
Don't kill him. Capture him.
Why? What are you going to do with him?
I need to find out
how much he's dug up first.
We can kill him afterward.
Fine. Sure.
Excuse me, I need to relieve myself.
Hey.
You'd better return within 15 minutes.
If you take too long to urinate,
it might make us think
you've run to the authorities.
Come on. What if he goes
and reports it to the authorities?
They're all on my payroll, anyway.
Those damn fools.
They gobbled up
all their meals here again yesterday.
I know that.
But…
you never know.
My goodness. My dear brother
isn't that righteous of a person.
You don't know how cheap,
selfish, and egocentric he is.
Go on and take your time.
Hello.
Well done. Let's go.
You there.
I don't know you.
You over there.
Take a break and have some of this.
They're freshly made mung bean pancakes.
Just look at this color.
It smells amazing.
They taste the best
when they're warm. Eat up.
Look at the color.
You need to hurry up and eat.
Come and sit. Come on, you guys.
Come and take a break to eat.
Eat up.
My goodness. Maybe it's
because there's a party today.
-There are so many new faces.
-Enjoy. Go on.
It's good. It's really good.
Why is this trading group so big?
The trade ledger and medicinal herbs…
Medicinal herbs…
The ledger…
What are you doing here?
You can't be in here. You need to leave.
I was looking for the bathroom.
Oh, my goodness.
I'm here. This is it. Yeokcham!
I'm so very late!
I'm going. I'm going to get that.
-I finally remember!
-I'm coming!
I brought a letter.
What? Get lost.
Keep it down. Please.
Help me.
Are you all right?
My lord.
What happened?
My lord, what are you doing here?
I was searching the house
and heard you scream.
That's what led me here.
There's no time to waste.
If you're caught lurking around here…
Then you're dead.
Oh, no. What should I do?
What did I tell you?
If he didn't return within 15 minutes,
he was a rat.
You know, I was being genuine.
It was you, Pal-soon.
This is your last chance
to explain yourself.
I'm sorry.
This is a misunderstanding.
We didn't go in there to steal.
He just got lost
-and stepped on a trap--
-He got lost
and walked into
someone else's storage shed?
It's all because I was careless.
Your storage shed is
so grand and magnificent.
I just couldn't help myself
from taking a look. I shouldn't have.
I apologize.
How dare you still act like a nobleman?
Are you really with Saheonbu?
Hey.
Drag them away and search them.
-Yes, sir.
-Yes, sir.
Letter.
Wake up!
-Why you…
-My lord.
He is my husband.
This damn husband of mine.
I'm about to die from being driven mad!
You keep failing the state exams,
yet you learn no lesson.
You told me you'd live
in a temple to study.
Are you going around
looking for parties and drinking again?
What?
When are you going to grow up?
You squandered away the fields
and farmland your father gave you.
How much longer will you live like this?
-You're killing me!
-Wait.
Hold on!
I made a mistake. Forgive me.
-Let's die together!
-Wait!
Enough!
Are you really his wife?
I am. How nice would it be if I wasn't?
You don't know how frustrating it is
to have a husband like him.
Actually,
I wouldn't mind at all
if you went ahead
and killed this man here.
I'm just sick and tired of him.
I wish he were gone.
What are you doing?
If you two are really married,
then kiss.
What?
Either kiss
or yell out, "His Majesty the King
is a rotten bastard!"
What?
What do you say?
Why is he hesitating?
He's never kissed anyone before.
Would calling His Majesty the King
a rotten bastard be better?
His Majesty the King…
His Majesty the King is a rot--
Even if you have no desire
to be successful,
how could you even think
about insulting His Majesty the King?
In front of all these people!
What if someone reports you?
You'll be arrested for contempt
and face capital punishment!
The backup forces will be here soon.
Just hang in there.
And you, my lords!
I understand
that my husband made a mistake,
but how could you create
such a preposterous situation?
You all must be aware that
you may not speak ill of the sovereign,
even as a joke.
You have no shame.
Are you that easy of a woman
to not think of kissing as a big deal?
I'm not easy.
But,
so what if I were?
Is that so?
Then how about this?
If you kiss me…
I'll release everyone here.
Watch your mouth!
I don't care what you may think
about His Majesty the King,
but do not insult my wife.
You two are not a married couple.
Have you ever seen a married couple kiss?
That's right.
A couple that hates each other enough
to wish death upon each other
kiss in front of all these people?
It's as ridiculous
as eating in the outhouse.
Who are you?
Answer me.
Tell me!
Either let us kiss
or let me slit her throat.
If you make a decision,
I'll let the rest of them live.
-Let's go!
-Let's go!
Let's settle this man to man.
What do you say?
Wouldn't that be more grand?
Make room.
Pick up the sword.
I don't want to.
Brother, if I learn how to use a sword,
I'll end up using it against someone.
I don't want to use
a knife except for when I cook.
I'll use this.
What are you doing?
-Go and grab the sword.
-Grab the sword. The sword!
My lord.
My lord. The sword.
ALL SCENES INVOLVING ANIMALS
WERE SAFELY STAGED
THE SAFETY OF THE CHILD ACTORS
IN THIS EPISODE WAS PROPERLY ENSURED
SPECIAL THANKS TO LEE JUN-HYUK
You will have to protect yourself
and the things precious to you.
The mastermind I'm looking for
may possibly be closer than I thought.
It must be prevented at all costs.
If you can't…
Should I kill him?
You need good bait to catch a big fish.
His Majesty the King is a rot--
I told you to stop.
Do you want to come with us to Gapbigocha?
Yes, I do. I want to go with you.
-That's too bad.
-That brat is the inspector's weakness.
Catch them at all costs!
LOCALES, AND EVENTS ARE USED
IN AN ENTIRELY FICTITIOUS MANNER
AND NOT BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS
-What's wrong?
-Look…
-Look…
-What?
-Over there.
-Where?
If you're a ghost, go away!
If you're human…
Bo-ri?
Bo-ri.
How wronged she must have felt.
Have you gone insane?
Do you want to get bewitched by a ghost?
A ghost or whatever, she's my friend.
Bo-ri!
Bo-ri!
Bo-ri!
Bo-ri…
What is that?
Goblin fire. I'm busy. Go away.
Oh, that's hot!
Bo-ri!
Bo-ri…
-Let go of me. Hold on.
-Bo-ri…
-This is not it…
-What?
Wait…
What's wrong with her?
What are you doing here?
Kids! No!
That's…
So, you've been
pretending to be ghosts here
to keep people away?
Yes, to survive. We have no other choice.
It's mulberry juice.
It looks just like blood.
By any chance, do you have a twin sister?
Or do you have a cousin around your age?
I'm an orphan and the only one
of my bloodline in this world. Got it?
Then how are you all related?
-If you're not brothers and sisters--
-No! We're family!
We're family!
We may not share blood,
but we grew up together
like a family in the orphanage.
We are family.
I'm sorry.
You look so much like my late friend.
I'm sorry if I was rude.
Anyway, the kids look quite sick.
What happened to their eyes?
They caught a disease
while drying medicinal herbs.
-Medicinal herbs…
-It'll make you sick if you eat it.
My lord, they all seem a bit off.
Let's just go.
We should get out of here
before they do anything to us.
What herb was it?
Why don't you stop being nosy
and be on your way?
Before the people who seem off
do something to you.
No.
I need to know.
They rubbed their eyes with
the hands they used to dry the herbs.
If your eyes come into
direct contact with it, you go blind.
-This herb called aconite.
-Aconite?
Tell me in detail.
How you all ended up like this…
I must hear it.
Follow me.
It's all right.
It's all right. Don't worry.
When kids at the yujeobso turn ten,
they are either adopted
by families or become slaves.
The kids here were sent
to Soyang Trading Group as slaves
and they escaped.
They broke the ordinance and escaped?
ORDINANCE: RULES AND LAWS
They had no other choice.
Cha Mal-jong,
the head of the trading group,
colludes with the village officials
to make excessive profits
in the public impost process.
He hoards the inventory to sell later
and has amassed great wealth.
He was a madman who tormented and toyed
with the slave children
whenever he felt like it.
He would starve those who were
unable to obey or refused his orders.
And some of them even ended up dying.
Why did you not report him?
Joseon law forbids slaves
from reporting their owners.
Furthermore, Joseon law permits owners
to punish their slaves however they wish.
Were you not aware of this?
They'd just say the kids deserved
punishment or died because they were weak.
Because not a single official cared
when a child died.
When people had enough,
a few like-minded adults joined hands
and started smuggling the kids
from the trading group to bring them here.
Which is why
we even spread rumors
about ghosts to keep people away.
Still, you can't live
deep in the mountains like this.
-Are you sick?
-Those children should
see a doctor as soon as possible.
As soon as the boat
to Gapbigocha comes in,
I plan on leaving with the kids.
Go to sleep.
I heard that place has a village
made for orphans like us
and hwanhyangnyeos.
HWANHYANGNYEO: A WOMAN THAT
HAD RETURNED HOME AFTER THE WAR
Did you just say hwanhyangnyeo?
I heard repatriated prisoners of war
that were kicked out of their homes
and orphans were welcome there.
Since the village leader is
a woman who suffered the same fate.
I'm here because I heard
you can get beef here.
There's no beef because of the beef ban.
Come on, now.
We heard the rumors
that you bring beef to the beggars' huts.
You must have some left
for the royal kitchens.
I don't even have any
for the King, so go back.
She could just say it's not enough.
This should be
worth 70 rolls of hemp fabric.
We'll leave.
We're leaving.
We are.
Have some of this to appease your hunger.
But this is so precious…
I heard there wasn't even enough meat
for the royal ceremonies
because of rinderpest.
We can't let the living starve
so we have enough to offer to the dead.
It's not much, but come have some.
-Thank you.
-Thank you.
Hand the baby over and eat.
How pretty you are…
Do you also have a child?
I heard
she lost her child early on.
And that's why she works
so hard to save children.
What do you plan on doing now?
I'm planning to smuggle out as many kids
as I can from the trading group.
Isn't it better to just report it?
That's like telling
Cha Mal-jong where these kids are.
Right…
I will go myself.
You're not going to Gongjinchang?
I need to check something for myself.
I'll go, so let me know
if you need anything.
To tell you the truth,
my mother is also a hwanhyangnyeo.
I want to help in any way I can.
Then…
I have a favor to ask.
There's something I need you to do
for me at Soyang Trading Group.
-Toss it.
-Yes, sir.
Should I give up or keep going?
Give up or keep going?
What are you doing?
I'm sorry, sir.
It's fine.
Why waste time apologizing
when you can be beaten to death?
Right? Don't you agree?
Look at me.
There you go.
My goodness! You foolish girl!
I apologize, sir.
A beating won't be enough.
We must teach a lesson to brats like her.
She must be straightened out now,
or she won't take mistakes seriously.
I'll drag her to the shed
and punish her by hanging her up.
Let's go, you brat!
All right. Go ahead then.
You'll find an older servant
named Gwang-soon there.
Usually, she sneaks the kids
out of there and I pick them up.
But as you can see,
I can't leave these sick children alone.
So could you pick them up for me?
Look.
Men who look like servants
are all armed with swords.
How deep must the collusion run
for them to have
armed thugs running around?
Those bastards are completely insane.
The government officials are all in on it.
How do we get them?
We must acquire concrete evidence.
Or we won't stand a chance.
I'm sure they have
a secret ledger in there.
You're not going in there
right now, right?
It's going to be a while
until Moo-jeok brings backup here.
Here.
Do you think you can
deliver this before dawn?
Your family's safety depends on you.
It's your favorite, yakgwa.
Yakgwa!
Not now.
Eat it when you arrive at yeokcham,
do you understand?
Hold on.
START
ARRIVE
It stings!
Hello.
While we wait for backup,
we'll get in there and buy time
while looking for evidence.
But won't they get suspicious
if three strange men walk in?
Of course, we can't just go in.
It's all right. You're safe now.
Are you hurt?
I'm all right.
You must have been very scared.
It's all right.
I'm sorry for hitting you earlier.
Have a drink.
Drink up.
I think you should stay here for a bit.
I'll let you out once it's safe outside.
You cannot come out before then.
If Cha Mal-jong sees you,
we don't know what will happen.
Even if it's a bit stuffy,
just be patient.
Yes.
Get back.
Sit down.
LINENS
What are you doing?
Come on out.
Come now. Come on out.
Happy?
Are you?
No. It's killing me.
You're so cute, it's killing me.
Now,
the two of you
shall be lovers.
Absolutely ridiculous.
We'll go with siblings.
All right. Then you shall be siblings.
Are you really the same person?
My, you look like
a completely different person.
Really?
Does it not suit me at all?
Then,
what about this?
My goodness. Have you been well?
Hello, Gwang-soon.
I've been waiting for you.
-Wait here for a second.
-Yes.
The meeting place is the linen shop.
Did anything happen?
Of course not. Nothing ever happens here.
Bi-ryeong hasn't come yet.
But what about the child?
There was another incident today,
so she's locked up in the shed.
I'll bring her
when I come back later today.
Go on and get back.
If you're gone for too long,
you'll be in trouble.
-I'll go now.
-All right.
-Follow her.
-Yes.
You dropped this.
Yes.
-Thank you.
-The password is
-"I came from Heunhaengi Hill."
-I came from Heunhaengi Hill.
I heard there will be
a party in this village.
So I came hoping to make a few bucks.
That's great!
We were actually very short-staffed.
Let me carry that for you.
Oh, thank you so much.
You should go this way.
-This way?
-Yes.
We should get to work as well.
-Go on.
-You must be hungry.
Did you get someone skilled?
He's a carpenter that participated
in the palace reconstruction.
I told him to use only the best materials
that were used for the palace,
so no need to worry.
What about the layout of the house?
He mentioned that it would be ideal
to arrange the structures
in the shape of the "day",
"month", or "nine" characters.
The "day" and "nine"
characters seemed plain
so I asked him to go
with the character for "month."
I heard from the other lords
that the preferred layout nowadays
is shifting from "month" to "luck".
Oh, my.
Is that so?
I'm unaware of the latest trends.
I apologize, sir.
My eldest son will live in this house.
Yes. Of course, my lord.
I actually like this one better.
I hate complicated things.
I prefer this one, Dad.
But this layout will bring you luck.
And how many times
have I told you to speak properly?
You shouldn't call me "dad."
Yes, Father.
Excuse me.
Look here, Carpenter.
I need to speak to you.
You are a minister's son.
When will you stop acting like a kid?
Father, do not worry about me.
You should worry about Tae-seo.
Why are you worried about him?
A report regarding
the dead inspector was submitted.
What?
Tae-seo always leaves a trace behind.
You're about to be completely exposed
because he couldn't
take care of one inspector.
You punk, watch what you say!
Why do you need to be cautious?
-You put the King on the throne.
-Watch it.
Father, you're the leader of the noblemen
and the loyal subject
who put the King on the throne.
What are you so worried about?
We haven't found the ledger yet.
It seems His Majesty the King got
the chief scholar involved.
It'll get tiresome
if he acquires evidence.
It never hurts to be careful.
It's been a while
since I saw you being so serious.
Tae-seo harbors resentment
because he's an illegitimate child.
That's why he used my title
as the chief state councilor
to coax the countryside officials
and increase his own assets.
So,
even if the ledger is discovered,
the evidence won't point to us…
but to Tae-seo.
What are you talking about?
My apologies, master!
Please forgive me!
Then work.
Without fearing death.
That desperation will save Joseon.
You can't live as slash-and-burn farmers,
servants,
and slaves forever!
Regardless of class!
Those who sweat and produce results
should be rewarded.
We must create…
such a world together.
Master.
Until that happens,
you must be willing to make sacrifices.
Yes.
-Do you understand?
-I do!
What are you talking about?
Tae-seo only has eyes for you.
"Father, I await your command."
"Father, is this enough?"
"Father, can I fetch you something?"
You're so scary, Dad.
You'll do that to Tae-seo
who tries that hard?
That makes me feel so bad for Tae-seo.
Not all brothers are the same.
So Do-soo,
you must brace yourself.
I will, Dad.
Don't worry too much.
My lord.
Do you have any pheasant meat?
I must pay tribute.
I do.
I just got some fresh
pheasant meat from Suanbo.
How much is it?
It's 200 rolls of cotton for one.
You could buy a horse
with 200 rolls of cotton.
My goodness. How can pheasant meat
cost as much as a horse?
Then go get flogged
for not paying tribute.
If you don't want that,
you can sell one of your children.
My goodness! My lord!
Please give me a discount.
My son is sick and lying down in a cart.
I can't even pay for his medicine.
Forget it! Damn it.
My lord! Please.
What are you looking for? Pheasant?
Get me a plump one.
Here you go.
This is pretty good.
So this is how the pheasant meat
given out to pay for lunch
made its way to the palace.
How is this a country?
Corruption is in every corner.
I seriously need to get out of Joseon.
You must be craving alcohol,
seeing how you're loitering around here.
Right?
This is hahyangju,
which only the King gets to drink.
Well? Do you want a taste?
Do you want a sip?
No, I'm good.
We occasionally drink it too.
It is very famous after all.
My goodness. You must be
a pretty big hotshot yourself.
Fearlessly snarfing down a royal offering.
You'll be dead meat
if the Uigeumbu squad catches you.
Well, rather than live my life as a fool
constantly worrying about the law,
I choose to eat everything I want
and end up as a good-looking ghost.
Don't you agree, Chil-guk?
Of course.
The law is crap.
I, Chil-guk, would rather
quit pooping than drinking.
Pal-soon, what about you?
Of course, my dear brother.
It's the most thrilling
when you break the law.
My sister is quite shy.
You're so pretty.
Do you know that you're cute?
Come inside.
What are you doing?
He just said he's pretty, right?
-Let's go.
-Yes, sir.
This is insane.
The ingredients are top-quality.
Naturally.
They were all
supposed to be royal offerings.
It's not just food.
There's also hemp fabric.
Hey, you scoundrels.
Let's go to the backyard.
Sure. The weather is perfect.
You're here, Mal-jong.
Hey, there.
Why are you bastards always here?
Keep playing.
Come here.
Sit.
Pretty Girl, you sit next to me.
Bring the food!
I don't mean to be rude,
but do you mind
if I ask who your father is?
I should know who the family is
before I accept a meal…
I don't have a father.
I'm a child with no father.
Pretty Girl.
Have a drink.
This is…
not hahyangju.
What?
What do you mean?
This is the aroma of chamomile,
not lotus flowers.
I even detect a hint of ginger
and the pungent aroma of red peppers.
This is hansan sogokju, isn't it?
You really are a man about town.
I was thinking
if you were some measly secret
royal inspector here to play some tricks,
I'd kill
and bury you.
You even know
what hansan sogokju tastes like.
Are you a real scoundrel?
Great.
So he tested me on purpose?
Bring more alcohol!
I noticed on my way in
that this place has everything.
Do you trade medicinal herbs as well?
We don't deal with medicinal herbs.
The one in charge of that
is such a damn stickler.
I can't be bothered to deal with him.
Is that so?
She definitely said that
it happened while drying aconite.
But where did you
get all this alcohol from?
-Do you make it as well?
-What?
You know…
Pretty Girl, where are you from?
Why does that even matter?
What matters is that we met here today.
You're quite the romantic, aren't you?
-But…
-Yes?
Where do you make…
all this alcohol?
All the way over there at Jinsan.
There's a valley called Baekgwiryeong.
That's where it's all made.
What do they make other than alcohol?
They make alcohol, weave hemp fabric,
and even extract silver…
Silver? Did he just say silver?
Thanks to you,
I got all this work done in no time.
Thank you for carrying
all this for me too.
Don't mention it.
Just let me know if there's anything else
and pack me a few extra yukjeon.
Where is the child?
In the storage shed.
In the backyard of the annex,
you'll find a side door.
Once I bring the child there,
get her out through it.
Actually, the caterer was looking
for an extra kitchen maid.
There's going to
be a party today, you see.
Is that so? I'm actually a great cook.
Really? That's great.
-Let's go. This way.
-Yes.
How much longer must we keep this up?
If my calculations are correct,
he should've arrived at yeokcham by now.
I'll stall. You search the house.
We must find the trade ledger.
Also, see if they have
a shed for medicinal herbs.
Can't you only look at me?
All right.
I'll only look at you.
Wait…
I think you mentioned something
about silver extraction earlier?
But silver isn't sesame seed oil.
What did you mean by extract?
Why do you keep asking questions?
That's suspicious.
Your taste in women…
How can the guest of honor be so late?
We're holding this party for you!
How can you be so late?
Baekgwiryeong was covered in fog.
Then again, it's pretty rough out there.
Wait, are you sure it's fog and not smoke?
Coming out of there?
We have a long way to go before that.
We're just getting started.
Anyway, it's fine as long as
your father didn't throw a fit.
I was worried that old geezer might again.
Who are you?
Me?
They're just scoundrels passing through.
One of us.
One of us?
And who is your father?
My father…
Father?
I don't think he's one of us,
seeing how he uses the word "father".
What's up? Do you like her?
I just brought her from the yujeobso.
YUJEOBSO: THE CENTRAL PUBLIC FACILITY
THAT RESCUED ORPHANS
Let's not do anything that could make us
look bad. We should be careful.
Nothing will happen.
I talked it all out with the nangcheong
and cooked the books
for all the slave deals.
Anyway, just lie low for the time being.
Especially until we catch the inspector.
What?
Another inspector was dispatched
after we took care of the other one?
Damn it.
Do I need to send the kids out again?
I already did.
I don't know what tree they're barking up.
Anyway, if he shows up
in this tiny village,
he'll just end up becoming
a trapped mouse.
He's more than welcome
to pass through here.
Don't kill him. Capture him.
Why? What are you going to do with him?
I need to find out
how much he's dug up first.
We can kill him afterward.
Fine. Sure.
Excuse me, I need to relieve myself.
Hey.
You'd better return within 15 minutes.
If you take too long to urinate,
it might make us think
you've run to the authorities.
Come on. What if he goes
and reports it to the authorities?
They're all on my payroll, anyway.
Those damn fools.
They gobbled up
all their meals here again yesterday.
I know that.
But…
you never know.
My goodness. My dear brother
isn't that righteous of a person.
You don't know how cheap,
selfish, and egocentric he is.
Go on and take your time.
Hello.
Well done. Let's go.
You there.
I don't know you.
You over there.
Take a break and have some of this.
They're freshly made mung bean pancakes.
Just look at this color.
It smells amazing.
They taste the best
when they're warm. Eat up.
Look at the color.
You need to hurry up and eat.
Come and sit. Come on, you guys.
Come and take a break to eat.
Eat up.
My goodness. Maybe it's
because there's a party today.
-There are so many new faces.
-Enjoy. Go on.
It's good. It's really good.
Why is this trading group so big?
The trade ledger and medicinal herbs…
Medicinal herbs…
The ledger…
What are you doing here?
You can't be in here. You need to leave.
I was looking for the bathroom.
Oh, my goodness.
I'm here. This is it. Yeokcham!
I'm so very late!
I'm going. I'm going to get that.
-I finally remember!
-I'm coming!
I brought a letter.
What? Get lost.
Keep it down. Please.
Help me.
Are you all right?
My lord.
What happened?
My lord, what are you doing here?
I was searching the house
and heard you scream.
That's what led me here.
There's no time to waste.
If you're caught lurking around here…
Then you're dead.
Oh, no. What should I do?
What did I tell you?
If he didn't return within 15 minutes,
he was a rat.
You know, I was being genuine.
It was you, Pal-soon.
This is your last chance
to explain yourself.
I'm sorry.
This is a misunderstanding.
We didn't go in there to steal.
He just got lost
-and stepped on a trap--
-He got lost
and walked into
someone else's storage shed?
It's all because I was careless.
Your storage shed is
so grand and magnificent.
I just couldn't help myself
from taking a look. I shouldn't have.
I apologize.
How dare you still act like a nobleman?
Are you really with Saheonbu?
Hey.
Drag them away and search them.
-Yes, sir.
-Yes, sir.
Letter.
Wake up!
-Why you…
-My lord.
He is my husband.
This damn husband of mine.
I'm about to die from being driven mad!
You keep failing the state exams,
yet you learn no lesson.
You told me you'd live
in a temple to study.
Are you going around
looking for parties and drinking again?
What?
When are you going to grow up?
You squandered away the fields
and farmland your father gave you.
How much longer will you live like this?
-You're killing me!
-Wait.
Hold on!
I made a mistake. Forgive me.
-Let's die together!
-Wait!
Enough!
Are you really his wife?
I am. How nice would it be if I wasn't?
You don't know how frustrating it is
to have a husband like him.
Actually,
I wouldn't mind at all
if you went ahead
and killed this man here.
I'm just sick and tired of him.
I wish he were gone.
What are you doing?
If you two are really married,
then kiss.
What?
Either kiss
or yell out, "His Majesty the King
is a rotten bastard!"
What?
What do you say?
Why is he hesitating?
He's never kissed anyone before.
Would calling His Majesty the King
a rotten bastard be better?
His Majesty the King…
His Majesty the King is a rot--
Even if you have no desire
to be successful,
how could you even think
about insulting His Majesty the King?
In front of all these people!
What if someone reports you?
You'll be arrested for contempt
and face capital punishment!
The backup forces will be here soon.
Just hang in there.
And you, my lords!
I understand
that my husband made a mistake,
but how could you create
such a preposterous situation?
You all must be aware that
you may not speak ill of the sovereign,
even as a joke.
You have no shame.
Are you that easy of a woman
to not think of kissing as a big deal?
I'm not easy.
But,
so what if I were?
Is that so?
Then how about this?
If you kiss me…
I'll release everyone here.
Watch your mouth!
I don't care what you may think
about His Majesty the King,
but do not insult my wife.
You two are not a married couple.
Have you ever seen a married couple kiss?
That's right.
A couple that hates each other enough
to wish death upon each other
kiss in front of all these people?
It's as ridiculous
as eating in the outhouse.
Who are you?
Answer me.
Tell me!
Either let us kiss
or let me slit her throat.
If you make a decision,
I'll let the rest of them live.
-Let's go!
-Let's go!
Let's settle this man to man.
What do you say?
Wouldn't that be more grand?
Make room.
Pick up the sword.
I don't want to.
Brother, if I learn how to use a sword,
I'll end up using it against someone.
I don't want to use
a knife except for when I cook.
I'll use this.
What are you doing?
-Go and grab the sword.
-Grab the sword. The sword!
My lord.
My lord. The sword.
ALL SCENES INVOLVING ANIMALS
WERE SAFELY STAGED
THE SAFETY OF THE CHILD ACTORS
IN THIS EPISODE WAS PROPERLY ENSURED
SPECIAL THANKS TO LEE JUN-HYUK
You will have to protect yourself
and the things precious to you.
The mastermind I'm looking for
may possibly be closer than I thought.
It must be prevented at all costs.
If you can't…
Should I kill him?
You need good bait to catch a big fish.
His Majesty the King is a rot--
I told you to stop.
Do you want to come with us to Gapbigocha?
Yes, I do. I want to go with you.
-That's too bad.
-That brat is the inspector's weakness.
Catch them at all costs!