01x04 - Course N° 4 **** and Spinach Doenjang Soup

[bunniefuu]

Being a tyrant's chef

means risking my life

on consecutive tests.

The situation calls for it

against my will.

YI HEON

KING OF JOSEON

Your Royal Highness,

please reveal the theme.

GRAND ROYAL QUEEN DOWAGER INJU

YI HEON'S GRANDMOTHER

QUEEN DOWAGER JAHYEON

YI HEON'S STEPMOTHER

KANG MOK-JU

FOURTH JUNIOR CONSORT, YI HEON'S CONCUBINE

MAENG MAN-SU

EIGHTH-RANK SENIOR COOK

EOM BONG-SIK

SEVENTH-RANK SENIOR COOK

What letter is that?

That's cursive.

What does that say?

Yi?

Filial piety?

The theme of the competition is…

filial piety.

Right. It can't be the family name, Yi.

The food you will prepare

for this competition

should incorporate

the spirit of filial piety.

The ingredients must include

tofu and doenjang, soybean paste.

You will have

two hours.

Now, you may begin.

THE COMPETITION BEGINS

The current time is osibangak.

OSIBANGAK: AROUND NOON

FILIAL PIETY

I won't stand a chance

if I cook a traditional palace dish.

Focus.

Tofu and doenjang…

Daddy made something new for you.

What's this?

- Ever heard of doenjang pasta?

- Doenjang pasta?

It's so good, Dad.

Is it? Eat up.

That's it.

Let's make doenjang pasta

that Dad often made for me.

I'm sure the Grand Royal Queen Dowager

will like it.

Gwinyeo. Do not make a mistake.

There will be no mercy.

What's with that smirk?

Unbelievable.

The key to making good food

is using good ingredients.

There's no way I'll lose.

My goodness.

Your Majesty, you must be disappointed.

You seem to have grown quite close

to the gwinyeo cook.

Grandmother.

They say you can only know

the depth of water by crossing it,

and that you can only know a person

by befriending them.

It is too early to assume

who will become the winner.

But you should know, Your Majesty,

I have been feeling rather tired lately

and have lost my appetite.

You are known to be sensitive

and lack appetite,

and yet you say you are tired

and have no appetite?

That makes this competition

much more interesting.

I look forward to seeing

if the new chief royal cook

can do well

and restore your lost appetite.

She and her skills even dissuaded me

from taking her life.

We will soon find out.

We shall see

if things go your way.

Your Majesty, what I wish to cut today

is not the gwinyeo's arm.

It is your heart that is drawn to her.

COURSE N° 4 AND SPINACH DOENJANG SOUP

They took everything?

No, give me that.

Tofu.

Oh no. They're all smashed.

Are you serious?

I can't believe those people.

I have won.

When it comes to gray mullet,

the ones with a white coat over their eyes

tend to be the tastiest.

Come on, can you not even catch that?

Come here!

I don't mind that the tofu is crushed,

but I don't have enough doenjang

for anything.

What do I do?

They're so nasty.

What do I do?

This is spinach.

It's really fresh.

Then again,

spinach was introduced

in late-Goryeo and early-Joseon,

so it makes sense that they have some.

Right.

Spinach is good for bones and anemia,

so it's perfect for her,

considering her health condition.

Let's add spinach pesto.

Okay, spinach.

Why are you still here?

Mister Eunuch Yoon.

The other cooks already got

all the ingredients they needed

and returned to the yard of the

Grand Royal Queen Dowager's quarters.

- Could I get some doenjang?

- Doenjang?

They must have some in the pot

in Saongwon, Office of Royal Meals.

The other cooks took everything,

so it's empty.

Oh dear. What to do about that?

That is all the jeolmi doenjang

we have left.

So that was the doenjang

made with black soybeans.

No wonder it was deep,

rich, and flavorful.

What should I do now?

The quality of doenjang

decides the outcome of the dish.

It is not jeolmi doenjang,

but we have some three-year-old doenjang

in the backyard.

Follow me.

Do you really?

Thank you!

Thank you, mister.

A cooking competition?

All sorts of petitions

and impertinent remarks

have been going about the palace,

which in itself is a disgrace,

so it seems

Her Royal Highness decided to step in.

I understand her intentions,

but do we have the leisure

to wait for the result of a competition?

Even if the lowly wench were to win,

we must not accept the gwinyeo

becoming the chief royal cook.

You are frustratingly shortsighted.

His Majesty will not step back.

- How about we--

- Oh my goodness!

Oh dear.

I apologize.

My hands are so weak.

Do not worry about it.

- It is fine, Your Highness.

- Goodness me.

Your Highness.

Please share your insight with us.

Poop.

I must go empty my bowels.

Where is the outhouse?

- Your Highness, are you all right?

- No.

The outhouse. I cannot wait.

- Where is it?

- Come with me.

- Oh dear. Let us go.

- Be gentle.

It has come out. Oh good lord.

- Walk slowly.

- Do not touch me!

Cook Maeng.

Is it eomandu you are making?

You may have learned

to cook in Waegwan, a Japanese village,

but you should know that

if the fish slices are not uniform,

the part that is wrapped

with the thinner slices will burst

when you steam them.

You are in no position to worry about me.

I see you are preparing yeonpotang.

You should carefully watch

how long you cook the tofu.

I will take this opportunity to show you

what I learned in Sichuan.

Relax, Yeon Ji-young. You can do this.

It seems the gwinyeo cook made a dough.

Could she be making noodles?

That is too simple a dish

for a competition.

She is blanching a strange vegetable.

I have never seen that in my life.

First Junior Consort Sung.

Do you not even know spinage?

It makes sense that you do not know

since you have never done any chores.

Is that called spinage?

But that is a muknamul

meant to be dried before eating.

MUKNAMUL: VEGETABLES MEANT TO BE DRIED

AND STORED FOR LATER CONSUMPTION

And now she is crushing it

with something else.

Is she ignorant or just brave?

It looks like the gwinyeo

will lose an arm today.

She will be crying out in pain soon.

Will you be quiet?

- Yes, Your Royal Highness.

- Yes, Your Royal Highness.

What could she be cooking?

The gwinyeo seems to lack in many ways

compared to the other cooks.

Cook Maeng seems to be making eomandu

Her Royal Highness praised

at the last banquet.

It looks like Cook Eom is making

his famous yeonpotang.

Just watching them

makes me feel hungry already.

Eomandu and yeonpotang.

I look forward to tasting them.

What about you, Your Majesty?

I am not so sure.

No matter how good they are,

we already know what they taste like.

You still seem to have great hope

about what the gwinyeo cook will make.

Indeed.

The chief royal cook's dishes

left me in awe every time.

I cannot wait to find out

if I will also taste what you tasted

and be left in awe.

You should feel it for yourself.

Lips may tell lies,

but the tip of a tongue

only tells the truth.

Doenjang soup carries a personal meaning

to Her Royal Highness,

so she often asks for it.

A refreshing savory flavor?

She has always had a small appetite

since she was a child.

From what I heard,

she could not eat at all

on the day she entered the palace

because she cried so much

at the thought of leaving her parents.

So she has a small appetite.

I heard that the last food

her mother made for her

was soup made with doenjang

from the region near the Seomjin River.

Her mother mixed rice in the soup,

and she said the soup

she tasted then was excellent

and has been missing it ever since.

I believe she said

it had a refreshing savory flavor.

What then?

The cooks did their best

to replicate that flavor in their soups,

but she always said

it did not taste right.

What do I do?

What gave the refreshing savory flavor

that the Grand Royal Queen Dowager misses?

Did she just feel that way because it was

the last meal her mother made for her?

I don't think doenjang pasta

will be good enough.

Miss.

What are you doing

with your mind elsewhere?

You need to concentrate.

The broth smells fantastic.

It is time to chop some green onions.

Oh dear. Did I use them up already?

Cook Maeng, lend me some green onions.

I put too much in my broth, you see.

Why are you not answering me?

Do you not hear me?

Oh, come on.

I asked you for some green onions.

This is an official competition.

Not preparing enough ingredients

is also a good reason for elimination.

There can only be one chief royal cook.

I did not take you

for that kind of person,

but you are so heartless.

A refreshing savory flavor.

How did she make such a flavor?

What do I need to…

What are you doing?

Let go!

Why, you!

How could you?

Jeez, they're fighting

at a time like this?

A refreshing savory flavor.

That's it.

I have enough to make the broth.

- What are you doing?

- Just a moment.

Where are you running off to

during the competition?

Just let me get something really quick!

I need to get more ingredients.

It won't take long!

Bring her here.

But… Please.

Oh, come on.

What is the matter?

I would like to get one more ingredient.

Could you please allow it?

What nonsense is this?

Return to your station this instant.

I apologize.

- But--

- What is the ingredient that you need?

- It is--

- If I may interject,

this cannot be allowed, Your Majesty.

We do not yet know

what the other cooks will present.

However, now that their dishes

are starting to take shape,

she wants to add an ingredient midway?

She must have realized

that she is no match for the other cooks

and is trying to change

what she is making.

The rule was to complete the dish

within the given time.

No one said anything about

not being able to use more ingredients.

Even if that were the case,

you have seen enough to know

what the other cooks are making.

It would not be fair to allow

the gwinyeo cook to add more ingredients.

It's true that I changed my mind

about my dish,

but it's not for the reason you speak of.

Changing your dish midway

is not at all easy.

There's no time!

That is your situation and your problem.

Grandmother.

As Consort Kang said, it is unfair,

but as the chief royal cook said,

there were no rules against

using more ingredients either.

So why not allow her

to use another ingredient,

and if she still loses,

we cut off both her arms?

You crazy b*stard.

Keep your mouth shut.

Man, he's really pissing me off.

That is truly a great idea, Your Majesty.

Very well then.

However, as Consort Kang said,

if this turns out to be a trick

on His Majesty and me,

you must be prepared to give up your life.

Okay.

I understand.

Ma'am, whether it's my arms or head,

it would be the end for me anyway.

I really don't have much time left.

I can't finish in time if I leave now.

Gil-geum.

SEO GIL-GEUM

GIRL WITH HEIGHTENED SENSE OF SMELL

- Trust me.

- Thanks.

CHU-WOL

INSPECTOR COURT LADY

This is the only way to beat

their jeolmi doenjang.

I need to add a smoky flavor.

What is with that obnoxious antic?

What a crude act.

What is she doing to the tofu?

Did she just put it in oil?

Just you wait, miss.

Miss…

What's taking Gil-geum so long?

- Cook Maeng does not disappoint.

- Great.

I cannot wait to taste his eomandu.

Cook Eom's yeonpotang

looks marvelous as well.

It looks like a small banquet

is happening around the bowl.

It certainly does.

Did she just put fresh spinage

into the hot broth?

It is simply absurd

to put muknamul in soup.

What did you say?

She put spinage in the doenjang soup?

Is this a new dish,

or have you lost your mind, Cook Yeon?

You must have my grandmother

taste the exquisite flavors

of your dishes.

Please, Gil-geum.

I need you here now.

Miss.

Gil-geum!

Gil-geum!

I know I am late.

- I am sorry.

- What happened?

Is that blood on your head?

I will explain later.

Hurry up and take this.

Thank you, Gil-geum.

Now go.

Do not act recklessly, all right?

Perfect. I can use them right away.

What did the gwinyeo cook put in the pot?

That is…

I am afraid I do not know what that is.

You do not know?

Earlier on, she added spinage to the soup.

Did this kind of cooking method exist?

It is clearly doenjang soup,

but she is making it

in a way I have never seen before.

This is so very bizarre.

What if we all fall ill

after tasting that?

Can spinage cause an illness

when consumed improperly?

Unfortunately,

I have never seen it

boiled or seasoned in such a manner

that I cannot say for certain.

What?

How are we to eat something like that?

Shall I tell her to stop cooking?

Are you insulting my authority?

I ordered a competition

for the position of the chief royal cook.

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

I implore you.

- I have committed a grave sin.

- Your Majesty.

Her words were merely based on the rules.

She would not dare to insult you.

Do not be so angry.

The rules?

Did you just say "the rules"?

This competition was held

because you doubted

the chief royal cook's skills

in the first place.

In other words,

you doubted the sanity and authority

of the king who appointed her.

- Your Majesty.

- However, I agreed to the competition

because I understood everyone's concern,

as this was unprecedented.

If you were to stop the competition

even before trying the food,

using rules as an excuse,

just because Cook Yeon

is making something you do not recognize,

how would that make me look

when I issued a royal command

for them to compete

for the position of the chief royal cook?

Please calm down, Your Majesty.

You are right,

and there is no law forbidding her

from becoming the chief royal cook.

All I wish

is that this does not become

a disruptive precedent.

I see very clearly how you feel,

so all that is left is to taste the food

and then decide.

This competition

was planned with the sole purpose

of getting rid of the chief royal cook.

Do not think that I am not aware of that.

Do finish on time.

Please.

All hands off.

Cook Yeon.

It is down to the taste now.

Will you officially become my cook,

or will your life end now?

EOMANDU: A JOSEON ROYAL COURT DISH

OF STEAMED DUMPLINGS

WITH THIN SLICES OF FISH

USED AS THE DUMPLING SKIN

It is moist and tender.

How is it so moist,

unlike most other dumplings?

Your Royal Highness, the secret to that

is the wrapping made with

gray mullet flesh sliced thinly enough

that you can see through it.

This eomandu is incredibly tender.

Wrapping made with gray mullet flesh

coated with starch flour.

The stuffing made with finely minced beef,

stir-fried cucumber,

mung bean sprouts, and tofu

comes together and bursts out at once,

flooding the mouth with flavor.

I am always in awe

of His Majesty's sense of taste.

The eomandu was so delicious.

I am lost for words.

It is delicious.

However…

I do not taste the doenjang.

I mixed some doenjang

with vinegar and honey

to make the dipping sauce.

The dipping sauce.

The doenjang does shine through.

Still, it is a shame

that you used it only for the sauce.

I am enamored by the texture of the fish

that melts away

the moment it touches my tongue.

Every ingredient in the stuffing

retained its moisture

while it was cooked to perfection.

That is very true.

It is an ideal food

for someone my age to enjoy.

I thank you for your generous praise.

So, how would you say

this dish speaks of filial piety?

His Majesty is the father figure

of all his subjects.

His people sent ingredients from all over

as a child would to a parent,

and with that,

I have prepared a dish for you,

Your Royal Highness.

If that were not

the pinnacle of filial piety,

I would not know what is.

That is a sensible answer.

It is a wise answer.

If it is as you say,

that would apply to all the dishes

in the palace since they are made

with ingredients received as tribute.

YEONPOTANG: A JOSEON ROYAL COURT DISH

OF CLEAR SOUP

WITH TOFU COOKED IN THE BROTH

Is this not tofu yeonpotang?

It is, Your Royal Highness.

I remembered how much you enjoyed it

at the last banquet,

and I did my best today.

It has a very clean taste.

Is there a particular reason

the pan-fried tofu has such a clean taste?

Instead of using beef for the stuffing,

I used minced chicken,

which makes it less greasy.

That is why it is lighter and cleaner

to the taste.

How did you cook the pan-fried tofu?

I cooked the sliced tofu on a griddle,

then tied them with water parsley

for the added fragrance.

I then cooked it in chicken broth

mixed with jeolmi doenjang

to add depth to the flavor.

That is why the pan-fried tofu

and the soup paired well together.

The aroma of the various rare mushrooms

was also delectable.

I am eternally honored, Your Majesty.

I enhanced the flavor

by using Pyogo mushrooms from Jinan

and caterpillar fungus,

which is good for boosting one's energy.

What is the filial piety

that your yeonpotang represents?

According to the ancient Chinese book,

Myeongsim Bogam,

everything is accomplished

when a household is harmonious,

and the parents are filled with joy

when the children are filial.

I prepared this dish

hoping that all the descendants

of the royal family

could gather round

and eat this warm meal together.

This is a warm dish

that parents and children

could sit around together and share.

Yes, that is true.

I am reminded of your banquet,

Your Royal Highness.

This time,

the pan-fried tofu tasted better.

It has an even richer flavor.

Are you saying

that extravagant dish

represents a child's love for a parent?

Yes. That is so, Your Majesty.

Just soup?

Is he an ally or an enemy?

What were you thinking

when you made this?

This is a special doenjang soup for you,

Your Royal Highness.

Please taste it.

What's with those looks?

Does it taste good or bad?

It is a refreshing savory flavor.

It is amazing

that she thought to add this.

Wait, did he figure out what I used?

He really does have

an absolute sense of taste.

So, what filial piety

does your food speak of?

This dish represents

filial piety in many ways.

First, the doenjang soup,

made with stir-fried doenjang,

that has a deep flavor

that calls to mind a mother's cooking.

Second, the deep-fried tofu

that enhances the flavor of the tofu.

- Inside--

- Stop rambling and get to the point.

Or I will have

your arm cut off this instant!

Enough.

This food…

represents filial piety.

Thank goodness she's eating it.

What a relief.

No, Mother.

I do not want to eat. I just want to go.

If you do not eat anything,

the journey to the palace

will exhaust you.

I really do not want to eat.

I sent someone

all the way to the Seomjin River

to procure this doenjang.

I will rarely get to see you

once you enter the palace.

Please, just have a bite.

How mysterious.

How was she able to create this taste?

I hoped to scold her

with a lecture on filial piety.

Instead, she has served me a dish

that questions the very meaning of it.

The ingredient…

The last ingredient you added.

What was it?

They were clams.

Nothing beats clams

when making a refreshing broth.

In Joseon,

only people living by the Seomjin

or Nakdong River could eat them.

The clean taste of the clams

the chief royal cook added

by putting both of her arms on the line

has enhanced

the refreshing flavor of the soup.

Nicely said, my tyrant.

That little wench.

So that is how she has been

seducing His Majesty.

By clams,

do you mean the small shellfish

that are used in regular shellfish soup?

Yes, that's right.

That's the secret

to the refreshing savory flavor

that you've searched for your whole life.

The last bowl of doenjang soup

your mother made you

would've tasted of clams

from the Seomjin River.

I included that refreshing flavor

in my doenjang soup.

However,

this is the first time

I am trying it like this.

Where did you get the idea

to add spinage to doenjang soup?

It is very tender and sweet.

Wait. Why is she asking

something so obvious?

Did I just become the creator

of clam and spinach doenjang soup?

Spinage becomes sweeter and softer

when cooked in soup,

and it goes well with doenjang.

It also tastes good,

blanched and seasoned,

so I served that as a side.

- And also--

- Also what?

It weighed on my mind

that you were having trouble keeping

your balance and shaking your hands.

Spinage is good

for bone health and anemia,

so eating it often

will benefit your health.

Your Royal Highness.

There's that saying we all know,

sikyakdongwon.

It means food and medicine

are of one origin.

Rather than with the help

of bitter medicine,

I hope you can maintain your health

with tasty food.

You are truly clever and thoughtful.

I will no longer

question who you are.

However,

will you make me

a dish like this again next time?

Pardon?

Yes, I will.

It looks like

we have a winner.

The winner of today's competition is…

Cook Yeon.

I get to live.

Thank you so much!

Dad, I made it!

The spinage doenjang soup Cook Yeon made

truly captured the spirit of filial piety.

With a method never seen before,

she used clams and spinage

and created a refreshing savory flavor

in a dish that also improves

one's health and energy.

She has truly moved me.

As of this moment,

the chief royal cook of the royal kitchen…

is Ji-young of the Yeon family.

Very well then.

- You all did very well today.

- Thank goodness.

Now…

The time for punishment has come.

Have the two cooks

who lost the competition

kneel before the straw cutters!

- What?

- Yes, Your Majesty!

Your Grace…

He's actually going to cut their arms?

Put their arms under the blade.

- Yes, Your Majesty!

- Yes, Your Majesty!

No.

No!

No!

No.

No! Wait, Your Majesty!

How dare you interrupt?

I may be out of line to say this,

but if you chop off their arms,

you will ruin the competition.

Is that what you want?

What kind of nonsense is that?

A deal is a deal.

No!

Your Majesty!

The theme of competition was filial piety.

Step aside while I let you.

Your Majesty.

Her Royal Highness maintained her health

thanks to the food

these two cooks have prepared

all this time.

Wouldn't it be unfilial

to cut off the arms of such cooks?

How brazen of you.

I let you live because you can cook,

and you dare try to lecture me?

Do you truly wish to die?

I wish to live.

And so must they.

Cutting the arm of a cook

is no different from k*lling them.

We only competed to create better dishes.

I don't understand

why we should die for it!

Shut your mouth!

Your Majesty.

Cook Yeon is right.

Forgive the other two cooks.

The fault is with me

for failing to understand your will

and intention in the first place.

The truth is,

it saddened me to see you despise deer

and find enjoyment in hunting them

because of the late king's

fondness for them.

Then I heard that Cook Yeon

had thoughtlessly served you deer meat,

which is why I came up with the theme

of filial piety to scorn her.

FILIAL PIETY

Oh, so that was the story behind this?

He really is something else, isn't he?

How could he do that

even if he hated his father?

However,

Cook Yeon,

who is now the chief royal cook,

has made me rethink the notion

of filial piety with her food.

I see why you value her so much.

Your Majesty.

How about

you leave it at this for today?

Still…

a competition is a competition.

We must make a clear distinction

between reward and punishment.

In that case,

how about you have the two cooks

learn from Cook Yeon for a while,

as a means of teaching them to be filial

and loyal to the royal family?

- Spare us, Your Majesty!

- Please spare us, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty. Please.

- Have mercy, Your Majesty!

- Have mercy, Your Majesty!

- Spare me, Your Majesty!

- Spare me, Your Majesty!

- Spare me, Your Majesty!

- Spare me, Your Majesty!

Please, Your Majesty.

- Spare me, Your Majesty!

- Spare me, Your Majesty!

Listen carefully, you two cooks.

The rules of the competition

should be honored.

However,

since the new chief royal cook

and Her Royal Highness pleaded with me,

I will make a special exception this time

and spare your lives.

As Her Royal Highness has said,

the two cooks who lost

will learn how to cook from Cook Yeon

for the time being.

With that,

we will conclude this competition.

Take away the straw cutters.

- Yes, Your Majesty.

- Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Will you join me for some tea?

- I feel rather--

- Perhaps the doenjang soup

reminded you of someone you missed.

You seem to be

unusually generous today.

Let us go inside.

Now, there should be no more complaints

about the gwinyeo cook.

Did you see Consort Kang

walk off first in a huff?

She was angry

that she did not get her way.

Leave her be.

I no longer

have to hear her meaningless chatter

about visiting me more often.

I cannot help but mention that it seemed

His Majesty's temper suddenly flared

after the competition ended.

You are right.

It troubles my mind to think

he may know something about the incident.

If that is not the case,

His Majesty would have no reason

to be so cold toward Her Royal Highness.

Do you hear yourselves right now?

Are you not aware that you are speaking

of things that should not be spoken aloud?

Perhaps the doenjang soup

reminded you of someone you missed.

You seem to be unusually generous today.

Who is to say that is our fault?

The deposed Queen Yeon should not have

done something so disgraceful.

Thinking that His Majesty might know

sends chills down my spine.

Should we not come up with a plan?

That is enough.

His Majesty believes

his mother passed away

due to an illness when he was young.

He does not know she was deposed

and poisoned to death.

Who knows?

He could have someone

looking into the matter in secret.

That is enough.

Even if His Majesty finds out

what happened to his mother,

what could he do?

Even if I were to go back in time,

I would make the same decision.

I believe Her Grace Consort Kang

was also present.

It seems that

the groundless rumor that you exiled

Governor Hong because of Cook Yeon

started at Jahongwon.

Consort Kang set this up.

Halt.

Chang-seon.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Where is Consort Kang?

I heard she returned to Jahongwon.

Let us head there.

Oh gosh, my legs are aching.

There's nothing easy in life.

- Don't you agree, Gil-geum?

- Yes.

I was so worried

they were going to lose an arm.

What is this for?

Well,

thank you for what you did earlier.

I learned a thing or two

about cooking from you as well.

No need to thank me.

We all work hard for a living.

I'm grateful that you appreciate it.

Jeez, I'm so thirsty.

I wish someone would get me some water.

I wish

someone would get me some water.

I acknowledge that you are

extremely lucky,

and that luck saved us all today.

- Yes, your luck--

- My goodness.

What a long-winded way

of saying thank you.

I'm a little hungry.

Are there any leftover eomandu?

Eomandu?

Yeah.

Are there any leftovers?

Darn it!

Goodness, Man-su.

My gosh, miss.

It really feels like you have become

the chief royal cook now. What a relief.

I think I've put the royal kitchen

in order now.

By the way, Gil-geum,

is your head injury all right?

What happened?

Well, you see…

I was returning from Saongwon

with the ingredient you asked for

when someone suddenly hit me

and made me fall.

That's when I smacked my head

on the ground.

Is that true, Gil-geum?

Why didn't you tell me earlier?

Let me see.

How could I tell you when you were

in the middle of a competition?

I really am okay though.

Who was it? Did you see their face?

No, I did not.

I held on to the clam basket

even as I fell down.

- Who is that?

- Then a man suddenly appeared

and shouted at the culprit,

so they quickly ran away.

It was the handsome jester, Gong-gil.

Gong-gil?

She is no ordinary woman for sure.

She will cause trouble one day

if I let her be.

That wench has an ulterior motive.

She must be a spy planted by someone.

However, it is a fact

that she is a skilled cook.

His Majesty is keeping her around

for a reason.

Shall I have her kidnapped and sold?

She has luck on her side,

so do not act rashly.

I must set a trap.

A trap?

His Majesty the King has arrived.

What happened?

Were you worried about me?

The lengthy competition

gave me a headache,

so I left early to rest.

I heard you were the one

who organized the competition.

Moreover, I heard that the false rumor

that I exiled Hong Gyeong-dal

because of Cook Yeon

started right here at Jahongwon.

Your Majesty.

Tell me.

Why did you do it?

Answer my question! Why did you do it?

Do you not know that questioning

the chief royal cook appointed by me

is no different

from questioning my authority?

This is…

not the time

for you to coddle the gwinyeo.

What did you say?

You used to spend sleepless nights

searching for the sworn enemy

who drove your mother to her death.

Have you already forgotten

what happened that day?

You said you remember

the day your mother was deposed.

You said you would avenge

her wrongful death!

Did you not?

Shut your mouth.

Do not dare speak of

what happened to my mother.

Not only did you bring

a woman of unknown birth

to the palace at this important time,

but you also appointed her

as the chief royal cook.

So how do you expect me

to just sit back and watch?

Is that why you acted

without coming to me first?

I am

extremely disappointed in you.

Misunderstandings

start with something trivial,

but once they take root,

there is no stopping them.

Just like how the late king

came to misunderstand your mother.

Shut your mouth!

Shut…

that mouth.

The sworn enemy

who drove your mother to her death.

You said you remember

the day your mother was deposed.

Just like how the late king

came to misunderstand your mother.

You said you would avenge

her wrongful death!

Did you not?

Your Majesty.

Are you all right?

Are you all right, Your Majesty?

I will help you relax.

Calm down, Your Majesty.

Leave it!

Leave me alone.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

The gwinyeo cook

must be something amazing indeed.

To think she was recognized

by the Grand Royal Queen Dowager

in the competition.

Now I am curious

about the food that cook makes.

You should, of course,

taste the food one day.

His Majesty's physical examination

is next month.

How about tasting the gwinyeo's food

when you dine with him then?

Yes, that is a good idea.

So, what have you found out

about the Salgoji Forest assassin?

You were right, Your Highness.

Director Kim Yang-son,

the older brother of Kim I-son,

whose corpse was desecrated

during the Muin Literati Purge,

had acted on his own.

I told them over and over that no one

was to act out until the right time.

Did you find the assassin?

We did, however--

Did you lose him?

His face was covered with a mask,

but his movements

were as agile and swift as the wind.

He must be quite the master of his trade.

Your Highness, please give me three days.

I will find him myself and end his life.

Forget it.

There is something more urgent

you must do tonight.

They are an important figure,

so be well-prepared.

I heard you proved your skills

in the competition yet again.

I will find your handybag or bundle

or whatever it is one day.

This is a great opportunity

to win over His Majesty.

His Majesty likes well-adorned women,

so embellish yourself with the jewelry.

No, wait.

What are you talking about?

- You must be mistaken.

- What do you mean?

There's no flirting or anything going on

between His Majesty and me.

- Right, Gil-geum?

- What?

Yes, that is right.

- They are not blurting or anything.

- "Blurt"?

"Flirt," not "blurt."

- Flirt?

- Flirt.

- Yes, flirt.

- "Flirt."

What in the world are you saying?

What I mean is,

His Majesty doesn't fancy me

or favor me that much.

That's my point.

- Yes, that is the truth.

- You fools!

You are truly ungrateful.

Do you truly not know what His Majesty

is putting up with to protect you?

Are you talking about the competition?

It may look like he protected me,

but that wasn't all there was to it.

My cooking skills

are what convinced everyone that--

Do you honestly think you survived

with your skills alone?

What?

Are you there, Cook Yeon?

It is time to prepare His Majesty's meal.

Understood. Please give us a moment.

- I shall visit another time.

- Wait.

You need to finish what you were saying.

What about His Majesty?

I hope that His Majesty enjoys

your blurting.

Is he kidding me right now?

Look at him blurting out nonsense.

Sorry, we're late.

We apologize for that.

This is going to be the first royal meal

that I prepare as the chief royal cook.

Please follow my instructions.

First, Cook Eom--

Everyone.

Eunuch Yoon.

I have bad news.

His Majesty had a fit at Jahongwon,

and he just retired to his chambers.

- Pardon?

- He still has fits?

He seems to have calmed down for now,

but he returned to his chambers

in an extremely sensitive state.

It is possible that someone could die

serving tonight's meal.

Be sure to double

and triple-check everything

until the very end.

- Yes, Eunuch Yoon.

- Yes, Eunuch Yoon.

His Majesty has fits?

When things get bad…

Who poisoned my food?

Throwing tables and bowls

and making a mess is the least of it.

Sometimes, he trembles all over

and says he hears things.

Once a fit takes hold,

everyone in the palace freezes in fear.

Your Majesty, are you all right?

Only Consort Kang can console him.

He's a famous tyrant,

but this is news to me.

What will you do?

He's usually so normal.

Right.

The traits of a tyrant

and the strange behavior

could be symptoms of a wounded heart.

That and the whole deal

with his mother being deposed.

For dinner today, we will serve something

to console His Majesty.

Are you sure about this?

I'm not,

but I'll do my best

to survive this day as well.

I see them, miss. They are coming out.

Okay. Is it working fine?

My gosh.

Do you all wish to die?

I will not let you be!

Your Majesty.

Your seoksura, evening meal, is ready.

Leave, all of you!

What shall we do with your meal?

Do you wish to be k*lled?

- Do not make me repeat myself!

- Yes, Your Majesty.

Wait!

The blue ribbon in your hair

tells me you are the chief royal cook.

I'm screwed.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You shall stay.

So,

what did you prepare this time?

Noodles?

Today's special dinner menu

is doenjang pasta.

The noodles are made with buckwheat flour,

and the sauce is made with salty

stir-fried doenjang and savory clams.

How dare you insult me?

I had doenjang earlier in the day!

He's definitely

extremely on edge right now.

He was fine during the competition.

Your Majesty.

This is called "pasta,"

and it's Italian for "dough."

The base of the sauce

may be the same doenjang,

but it's a completely different dish.

It means "buster" in "stallion"?

"Stallion"?

Pasta.

"Bastra"?

Pasta.

- Pas…

- Pas…

Taste the food.

Please try it.

I'll show you.

You hold it like this and…

Open your mouth.

"Busta."

I had doenjang earlier as well,

but it tastes so different now.

Together with the spinage,

it is smooth and sweet.

On top of that, the earthy buckwheat

and the savoriness of the clams

linger in my mouth until the end.

That's right.

Very accurate.

This doenjang pasta

is what my dad made me

whenever I was upset.

I'm sure you had

a lot to think about today.

I also had a terribly long day,

so I made it with memories of my dad.

I see.

What about your mother?

She passed away when I was young.

You must have felt lonely.

You must have been in a lot of pain.

Is he consoling me?

He's just as lonely

with no one to turn to.

You must have felt alone, just like me.

Where is your father right now?

He's probably desperately looking for me.

He must not know

you are here in the palace.

Shall I send him a message?

No, Your Majesty.

It seems you still don't believe me,

even though I've told you many times,

but I really am from the future.

I'd be able to prove it

if only I had my handbag.

- Is this it?

- Yes, this is it!

Thank you!

Do you mean the bundle

- I threw over the cliff?

- Yes.

There's a book

called Mangunrok in that handbag.

You'd be able to believe me

if only I had it.

"Mangunrok"?

What kind of book is Mangunrok?

If I'm right,

I believe it's the book

that brought me here.

It brought you here?

How so?

By time-slipping.

A magic book that sent me here

from the future.

I do not understand a word you are saying.

Very well.

Tell me about my future.

If you get it right, I will believe you.

And I will send my troops if needed

to recover your bundle.

What do you say?

Listen, Yeonhuigun.

The Gapshin Literati Purge

happens in the near future.

RETALIATION WHERE YEONHUIGUN ex*cuted

OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN HIS MOTHER'S DEATH

Go on. Tell me what you know.

It happens in the Year of Gapshin,

Year of the Blue Monkey,

a revolt ensues,

and you get dethroned and deposed.

How am I supposed to tell you that

when history can't be changed?

So you want to know

about the future, right?

Then let me see…

First,

you must get through this year well.

Hold back, even if you get angry,

and beware of those close to you.

Will the Gapshin Literati Purge

actually happen?

I'm not in the position

to worry about someone else.

What should I do?

CLAM DOENJANG PAASTA

On the 20th day of the Month of Gyeongjin,

which fell on the Gihae day,

the chief royal cook placed first

in the competition hosted

by the Grand Royal Queen Dowager.

It has been many years since I ordered

Principal Drafter Yi Jang-gyun

to find the draft

of the historical record.

He will return today

with the secret of what happened

to my mother 20 years ago.

There's a book called Mangunrok

in that handbag.

A book called Mangunrok.

There's a book called Mangunrok.

"Mangunrok."

Mangunrok…

Does it mean "to yearn for the clouds"?

MANGUNROK

MANGUNROK

Your Majesty, it is I,

the commander of Urimwi.

You may enter.

What is it?

Your Majesty, I have bad news.

Principal Drafter Yi Jang-gyun

has vanished.

What? Yi Jang-gyun has vanished?

Yes.

I was to meet him tonight

at the twenty-second hour

at the North Gate,

but he did not appear,

so I searched the area

and found this in a spot

stained with a lot of blood.

- Was he attacked by an assassin?

- Yes.

k*ll him!

Let us go.

Judging from the blood

and fallen identification plaque,

it seems certain

he was attacked by an assassin.

This is outrageous.

No one else knew

about the order I gave him.

Who could have done this?

What crime could my mother have committed

that they are trying so hard to hide it?

It is possible

that every one of them

was involved in her death.

All of those who wish to retain

their position and power.

I cannot trust anyone.

Then again…

I was always alone anyway.

Your Majesty.

The wind is cold.

Please return to your chambers.

Bring me a drink.

A drink, Your Majesty?

I need to get drunk tonight.

Your Majesty.

Drinking on an empty stomach

will harm your health.

I shall request a juansang,

so you can have some food.

Cook Yeon, are you in there?

Cook Yeon.

Yes. I'm coming.

This is just crazy.

Why does he not sleep?

Your Majesty, your juansang is ready.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, are you all right?

You are here.

Is he drunk?

He reeks of alcohol.

It's one thing after another with him.

Yes. I brought your juansang--

Well, Your Majesty…

Stay still.

But I…

Stay as you are.

Just for a while.

BON APPÉTIT, YOUR MAJESTY

Do you not remember

what happened last night?

I'm going to destroy you!

What is it? What about the draft?

I will prepare the natgeotsang

after the physical examination today.

I'll prepare my natgeotsang as planned.

Who is the chief envoy this time?

I was told he brought

as many as three cooks.

We're expecting a special guest today.

Brace yourselves, envoys.