Hwang Jin Yi (황진이)

Enter the courtesans!

Chief Courtesan Im Baek Moo pays her respects to Your Honor.

The music courtesan Hyun Geum is missing?

Yes, Your Honor.

The music courtesan Hyun Geum...

Is she the courtesan who asked to be retired?

Yes, Your Honor.

Do you mean that child has asked this of you again?

You are the Mistress of the Courtesans and yet you know nothing.

Is this how you manage your subordinates?

So I hear that you went to ask for retirement.

My body is not well.

It is not your body, but your heart.

Did the man who broke your heart tell you that he was going to come for you?

Mistress!

Of course not.

He left when you were a healthy woman.

Why would he take you in now that you are blind and lame?

How long will you wait for him?

How long will you waste your life waiting for him?

Mistress!

Remember this! This is the courtesan troupe.

You cannot come and go as you please.

Please let me go.

Not unless you become a corpse.

Even if you don't wish to go then, I will let you go.

Before then, don't even think about it.

Let her leave the temple?

That child cannot even leave the mountains!

And you promised to let her leave?

I didn't say now...

One more bow. You're going to make it.

- Abbot! - 2,000 times already. 2,000.

Not many more left.

Quickly. Quickly. Go on. Go on.

One more bow. Quickly. Quickly.

You did a foolish thing.

How can such a small child bow 3,000 times?

How can you read people so poorly?

You've raised her for ten years and you still don't know her character?

Merely 3,000 bows?

That child can do 10,000 bows if it will achieve her purpose.

Then how...?

Go on, Jin Yi.

Three thousand... Three thousand!

Three thousand bows. I've completed it.

You'll keep the promise, right?

Jin Yi! Jin Yi!

Open your eyes!

Are you alright? Jin Yi! Jin Yi! Please get up.

How about I cajole her a little bit?

Maybe she'll forget the promise!

How can you belittle the significance of three thousand bows?

Even you have not performed the three thousand bows before.

So then...

Take her out.

Just once. What can possibly happen?

I'm not interested in candies.

Then you want to see the folks at the market?

Not interested.

Then why did you risk your life to perform the three thousand bows?

I'm searching for someone.

The Mistress has arrived!

This banquet is held in honor of the Ming dynasty's Ambassador.

You must give all your focus to this day. Do you understand?

Yes, Mistress.

It's been a long time.

How have you been, Your Honor?

You've lost weight.

Your weight loss is due to more than just the passage of time. Am I right?

Your heart must be troubled.

Do not make wild guesses, Your Honor.

You should have joined the courtesans in the capital city, Do-Sung.

I lack the talent to be there.

It is not talent you lack, but will.

If you have the will...

I do not fit in that position, Your Honor.

You are really going to give up like that?

That is not it.

When I am ready for the challenge, I will fight for it with honor.

I will take your leave to see to my matters.

It's all because of that Hyun Geum.

I'm talking about that girl who has riddled holes into our Mistress' heart.

You knew all along the welcoming party

included Envoy ChoiDang of Changhak Court, right?

If you have the energy to guess my thoughts, go to the Dance Courtesans instead.

Go and see if they've worn their costumes correctly!

Everyone in Korea knows how they choose the palace performances.

There's only one reason why the Changhak Court is coming here.

They might select a new troupe...

And so? So what will happen?

Would this not be the perfect chance for our Songdo troupe to advance to the capital?

Will we be selected if we don't have any talent?

You think about selling the bear hide without first catching the bear...

So are you saying once the bear's been caught, you're willing to sell the bear hide?

Isn't that right, Mistress?

We must first grab the opportunity.

That's the way to have a future.

Where did Jin Yi go?

You little rascals...!

Oh this child! What is she doing?

Jin Yi!

I thought I would recognize her.

She'd be wearing a red skirt,

a beautifully-colored top,

and she'd smell wonderful.

I thought if I came here... I'd recognize...

I would be able to find her.

You're talking about your mother?

That's the reason why I came to beg for alms.

That's the reason why I performed the three thousand bows.

Too many... there are too many women wearing beautiful red skirts...

I can't recognize my mother, Teacher.

Jin Yi.

Teacher, where is my mother? Where does she live?

Didn't I tell you that if you grow up to be a kind person, she'd come for you?

So she's not here because I'm a bad person?

Is that so?

Teacher, I miss my mother. Teacher, please bring me to her.

Jin Yi, don't cry.

Jin Yi, don't cry.

Jin Yi! Where are you going?

Let's go together!

What are you all doing here?

Won't you turn your eyes away!

Let me down! Let me down!

The Songdo Troupe is indeed great in both skill and beauty!

Banquets have been held in Yi Province and Pyongyang Palace in your honor.

How do you think they compare?

They had much talent and beauty, but this troupe is far more excellent.

Baek Moo, did you hear what His Lordship has said? You must give your response!

We are humbled by your generous words. To show our gratitude, we will show...

Our troupe shall show you our response!

Mae-Hyang, what brings you here?

We were sent by His Majesty.

He has expressed worry that our esteemed visitors

would be left in the hands of village courtesans.

Is that so?

I am in charge of the performances at the palace.

I am the Mistress of Palace Troupe, Mae-Hyang.

You have traveled a great distance.

We wish to lessen your fatigue with our humble arts.

Oh, yes! Good!

It is a lie that His Majesty has sent you, isn't it?

Why do you ask if you already know?

Why are you doing this?

The one who started this fight is you, Your Honor.

Did you really think I wouldn't know why

you unnecessarily decided to welcome the ambassadors yourself?

Mae Hyang, you...!

Do you still have delusions about that Baek Moo?

Don't even dream about it.

I won't give up so easily.

Excellent indeed!

You still won't repent of your sins!

Why do you persist in delusions?

Beautiful. Extremely.

As disciples of Buddha, how can you be mesmerized by such vanity?

How can they be that beautiful?

How is the music so pure and clear?

Jin Yi!

What's wrong with seeing beautiful things and feeling excited?

I'm not certain, but I think even Buddha would have been excited to see it!

What?!

Teacher, how about if I perform for you?

A little... I still can remember a little of it.

If you see just a little, you won't be able to forget the sight either.

You rascal...!

You made three mistakes.

Why are you crying?

Who saved your father?

It was you, Mistress.

No, not me. It was my power and wealth.

How are you going to repay me?

I will repay by becoming the best courtesan.

Practice to the point of death.

Then, all the power and wealth that I own will be yours.

Do you understand?

Are you there?

I will enter.

What brings you here?

I hope you were not offended by our performance.

As you know, we courtesans do not have a say in anything.

We come when they bid, and go when they...

I understand. No need to explain.

My burden has been lifted since I have your understanding.

So what is your opinion?

What do you think of my girls?

I couldn't take my eyes off them.

They were so captivating I couldn't look away.

What are you so afraid of?

A..fraid? What are you saying?

Like I said. You are the Mistress of the Palace Troupe.

Why do you feel the need to leave the Palace

and perform out here in the provinces at the expense of your young girls?

Win or lose, it's clear. A loss is a loss. You should bear the face of a loser.

Is the art of the courtesans like a wrestling match?

Why must there be a loser and a winner?

You think I don't know your desire for my position?

Your position can only be taken by someone distinctive in her craft.