The Matchmakers (혼례대첩)

One in 10,000 humans are born...

with the ability to identify one's soulmate,

and people with that special ability...

existed in every era.

In ancient times, they were chief priests.

In Silla times, they were called Agent of Love...

and enjoyed great power and riches.

The Heritage of the Three States appendix on agents says...

most influential Agents of Love until the Goryeo era were women,

and as Joseon was a nation built on Confucianism,

they slowly disappeared.

There is no record to show...

how they recognized one's soulmate.

Agents of Love with a heightened level of skill...

are said to bring couples together without knowing themselves.

Silla people called Agents of Love...

"lonely souls."

That is because...

he who marries an agent is fated to die young.

That is why many agents are widows.

Couples I bring together...

live happily and are quite fertile,

so most of my clients are parents with daughters.

I can tell...

if they are a match or not.

You could say I was born with the ability to tell their fate.

The first-place winner of this year's state exam,

is Sim Jung Woo.

Goodness.

The youngest to place first since Joseon was established...

happens to be handsome as well.

Yes.

He scored much higher than the man who came second,

and all ministers who graded the papers were astounded.

Is that so?

Sim Jung Woo came first, and he will...

take the currently vacant...

Deputy Administrator of Pyeongyang position.

Apply your youthful and new ideas...

and assist your superior well.

Your Majesty.

This is too unconventional an appointment that I think...

I will uphold your command,

and with my clever mind and quick thinking,

I will clear...

the corruption in Pyeongyang and restore order,

Your Majesty.

You do that.

Kids these days are unlike us.

They care not for humility.

Oh, dear...

It is said...

the greatest of the three misfortunes...

is for a young man to gain a lofty title.

Watch your language...

and stay out of trouble.

Rather than place far behind the winner...

in 3rd place well into one's 40s,

living an unfortunate life...

as a successful young man does not seem too bad.

Do I not know what I am saying because I am too young?

Your Highness, you cannot be out here.

Princess.

Your Highness.

Why should I marry the princess?

His Majesty sent me to Pyeongyang, and I leave tomorrow.

The King's son-in-law cannot take a government post.

That position...

was reassigned to Min Hyun.

His Majesty gifted you...

a great house in Bukchon as a wedding present...

and will bestow your older brother with a title as well.

It is a great opportunity for you and your family.

If you were to become a member of the royal family,

it would be a great benefit to our faction.

It would.

This is all thanks to your effort, my lord.

If it is that great an opportunity,

your second son In Guk who is still single...

could marry the princess.

The princess wishes to marry you.

The Classic of Rites states...

a marriage is bringing together the good of both genders...

to honour and serve the family...

and bear descendants to carry on the name.

This means a marriage involves two families.

How could the princess name a spouse...

based just on her preference?

That goes against our rites.

That is enough.

It is my wish that you marry the princess.

So comply and do not complain.

Father.

You know my dream is to become Premier.

I will not marry the princess if that stops me from taking office!

Are you pleased you sold your son for a large house in Bukchon?

How dare you speak to Father like that?

You are dull-witted and greedy,

and very likely to become a corrupt official.

What did you say?

Heed my advice...

if you wish to keep the position...

you got from selling your brother.

Take two bows.

Bride, two bows to the right.

Groom, one bow in response.

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

Your Highness.

She has...

passed.

The princess died before we even put up...

the sign the King sent.

What should we do now?

She died during the wedding.

Did he not get to consummate the marriage, then?

Of course not.

He's a widowed son-in-law of the King.

Kings' sons-in-law cannot remarry or have a concubine.

What good is a house this big?

Oh, dear.

It is so pretty even on the outside.

How pretty must it be inside?

What do you think?

Hey.

- It suits you. - Goodness.

- You are here. - You made it.

- Hello. - Hi.

I am almost sure...

a Marriage Ban will be issued next month.

It is all about speed.

Remember that.

If you have any information,

we should share it.

Do not keep it to yourself and mess things up like before.

Okay, fine!

Will you stop saying that?

I thought Marriage Bans are lifted after a month or so.

- Why are you... - Making a fuss?

While the Marriage Ban is issued, most families with a daughter...

must submit the Virgin Note.

I know that much.

But Marriage Bans are not enforced too long,

and it is a good thing to marry the crown prince.

Are you from a distant countryside?

People say "NK Jin."

"NK Jin?"

The next king...

will be Prince Jinsung, the nephew of the left state councillor’s wife.

I see.

Whoever were to marry the young, sickly crown prince...

is bound to end up a poor widow.

Who would want their daughter to suffer that fate?

So people with daughters of marriageable age...

go crazy for matchmakers to get them engaged...

before the Marriage Ban is issued.

All we have to do is reap the benefits while the tide is in.

There will be no Marriage Ban this year.

What are you saying?

A court maid I know was adamant.

My sources say...

there will be no Marriage Ban this year.

Do not humiliate yourselves using that...

as an excuse to arrange marriages.

How cool is she?

Who was that?

She is not cool at all.

If Lady Yeoju said there will be no Marriage Ban,

- I doubt there will be one. - Right?

Lady Yeoju is never wrong.

"Lady Yeoju?"

The master of matchmaking that does business only with...

the rich and famous?

She is no master.

Where are you going?

She said no Ban.

I am off to sell my wares. Get out of the way.

Do we all have to listen to Lady Yeoju...

Wait for me!

Postpone the crown prince's wedding...

because of a rumour of a female ghost?

Your Majesty.

The number of spinsters and bachelors in the Capital...

are at an all-time high.

What?

The rumour of the female ghost surfaced...

after a depressed spinster took her life.

We are concerned her grudge will harm the future of our nation.

The untimely drought also...

What about the drought? Are you saying the darned woman...

caused the drought also?

Well...

Well...

The heavens' intentions are beyond our understanding, so...

What is your point, Minister of Defence?

Pardon?

Right. My point...

So, the nation...

I mean...

A couple and the nation's energy...