[Xiumin]
[Side dish refills are self-serve!]
[Chu So Jung]
[Lee Sae On]
[Lee Soo Min]
[Kim Hee Jung] [Woo Hyun] [Oh Ji Ho]
[Heo's Diner]
[The characters, organizations,and events in this drama]
[are purely fictionaland unrelated to historical facts]
[Animals were filmed under expert supervisionin accordance with welfare guidelines]
Hey, Mal Bok, come over here.
What's he plotting this time?
Has that nobleman
ever seemed sane to you?
It's strange how he's so close to lowborns.
That's what I'm saying.
Is he really a noblemanfrom a prestigious family?
But he acts no different from Mal Bok.
Don't be so quick to judge.
Believe it or not,they say he was famous in Hanyang
for being brilliant.
You sure they didn't meanbrilliantly bizarre?
Mom.
Mom, I need to borrow this.
What now?
You little rascal,why do you need my skirt?
Hurry and bring it back.
He said he'd turn your old skirtinto a new one!
Now!
The most important task remains.
- Are you ready?- Yes!
Let's go!
Come here.
Come over here! Come here!
My goodness! My goodness!
Everyone, look!
[Gyosan, Heo Gyun's alias]
Gyosan.
That man is like a fleeting shadow.
His thoughts stray beyond reason
and his actions follow no order.
He's like a goblin.
But is that not what makes him so charming?
Being free-spirited and relentless, that is.
This nation stands upona traditional order that must be upheld.
Yet Gyosan sought to shakethat very order to its roots.
Your Highness.
To neglect a virtuous and talented man
solely because of his illegitimate birthis a great loss to the nation.
The heavens do not favor noble birthin bestowing talent.
Yet in this land, only the legitimate sonsof noble families may attain office.
Is it any wonder, then, that we are alwaysin need of capable men?
I humbly ask that you extend your graceto these gifted illegitimate sons
so that their abilities may servethe nation to the fullest.
As expected, Mae Chang,you are the finest artist in Joseon!
Come now, let's have another drink.
Ah, Gwansong!
I have something to discuss Gyosan,step outside with me for a moment.
Please come inside.
Why not join us in conversationwith my friends?
I'm here to discuss national affairs.
This is not a discussion to be hadwith the likes of these illegitimate sons.
That is too harsh a remark.
Is this because of the petitionI submitted to His Highness today?
Do not waste your time chasingfoolish dreams of ever holding office.
The traditional order of this land
will not be so easily undone.
I see it differently.
Should we not reform outdated traditionsas times change?
Did you not see it yourself that day?
The way Gyosan defied this nation's order?
Yet you know as well as I do
that he is too brilliantto waste away in a place like this.
I, too, value Gyosan's talent.
That is why I sent him here.
When this horse first came to me
it was impossible for any man to tame him.
He was no different from a wild horse,but I made him obedient.
How did you manage to tame him?
I taught him a lesson.
One does not recklessly defy the world
without consequences.
Gyosan is a wise man.
By now, he must have understood.
I'd like to believe so...
Inspector General!
To have you grace this humbleand distant place is an honor beyond words.
We gathered renowned bondmaids to preparea banquet for you to unwind...
I didn't realize you had company.
I shall make arrangementsso that the two of you may rest in private.
That won't be necessary.
More importantly…
There's something I wish to see at once.
If you sell these,you'll have enough to afford a new skirt.
Oh my, you caught this manyin such a short time?
There's more.
Share them with the villagersso everyone can enjoy.
A nice, hot fish soupwould be refreshing and delicious.
What are you talking about?
We should grill them!
They're fresh!
Wait!
I know a recipe from my younger days.
So delicious, you wouldn't noticeif the person next to you dropped dead!
First, scale the crucian carp,remove the bones and entrails
and soak it in saltwater
Soak dried radish greens in water,chop them finely
and season with soy sauce,ginger, and sesame oil
before stuffing them inside the fish
Then, blend old pumpkin into a pureeand pour it over the fish
The salty greens and the pumpkin's naturalsweetness create the perfect harmony
Finally, steam it over boiling water
Goodness, this is unbelievably delicious!
I've never tasted anything like this before.
Amazing, amazing! Is this reallythe same crucian carp I know?
The sweet pumpkin melts in your mouth.
According to the memoryof this Transcendent Genius
topping the fish with egg and beef garnish
would make the flavors even richer.
But those are hard to find here...
This should be delicious enough, so enjoy!
I have heard he shares a deep connectionwith Your Excellency.
I have ensured there will beno discomfort in his stay.
Are you confessing that you have beenconspiring with an exiled criminal?
That's not what I meant.
Or...
Are you admitting your own incompetencethat you have failed to control a criminal?
Your Excellency,I have committed an unforgivable mistake.
It was my poor judgment…
Enjoy the food, everyone.
It'd be nice if we could all eat together
but since you always keep to yourselves,I brought some over.
It tastes quite decent,so go ahead and try it.
Look at you, pitying otherswhen you can't even see your own fate.
I'm just sharing good food.
Why go for the sore spot?
But you're right.
Given my situation,who am I to pity anyone?
So this isn't pity. It's just a small treat.
Satisfied?
You don't even realizeyour own life is hanging by a thread.
What do you mean?
What did you just say about my life?
Sir!
Don't waste your timetalking to that madman!
He's a terrible old man.
That's right! Stay near him too long,and misfortune is bound to follow.
Don't mind him and join us instead.
I'll admit it's not bad.
Consider yourself luckyThis mere treat just saved your life.
Oh! Magistrate!
What brings you here?
Arrest the criminal, Heo Gyun!
Whoa, Magistrate, what's all this about?
Are you upset because we didn't sharethe good food with you?
I'll catch more and cook for you, so…
From this moment forward!
Sinner Heo Gyun will be enclosedin a thorn hedge.
[A Joseon-era punishment where exiled criminalswere confined within a thorn hedge to prevent escape]
Bear in mind! Heo Gyun is forbidden fromstepping even a foot outside his dwelling!
Whoa there!
My foot hasn't even touched the ground yet.
You almost stabbed me!
You're surprisingly quick.
I already feel suffocated.
How much longer must I stay trapped in here?
With your temperament,I doubt you'll last even three days.
Ah, Gwansong!
Had I known you were coming,I would've gone to greet you.
Oh, wait.
I can't go outside.
You haven't changedStill as lighthearted as ever
I've missed you terribly.
You look even more dashingthan when I last saw you.
Oh, how dazzling! My eyes, my eyes!
Oh, come on now…
Just look at yourself.
A man as full of life as you,wasting away for the rest of his days
locked in a housewithout even a single window?
But what choice do I have?
Until His Highness calls for me...
In other words
it'll be resolved if His Highness summons you.
Did His Highness ask for me?
Not yet.
But you can make him.
Gyosan, if you become someoneHis Highness cannot do without.
Then, His Highness will call for me.
Tell me, what does His Highness need?
I'll do whatever it takes! Anything!
You're not serious, are you?
Have I ever been anything but serious?
It's just… too absurd to believe.
Did you think becoming someoneHis Highness needs
would be easy?
It's not about whetherit's easy or difficult.
I cannot bring myself to commitan act that defies morality.
Then.
Are you content to live like thisfor the rest of your days?
Even if I were to leave this placeby such means
would I truly be free?
Who dares come here?
Please, calm down.
They're my friendsthe ones have helped me through exile.
You haven't changed one bit.
In Hanyang, you wasted your timewith illegitimate sons, and now.
You surround yourself with lowborns?
Even in exile,you refuse to come to your senses!
Do you not know that loitering near
the house enclosed in a thorn hedgeis punishable by flogging?
Gwansong, they're just children.
I will speak to themand make sure they never return.
Please, just this once.
And yet you think you're in a position
to worry about those lowborns?
You'll regret
turning down my offerfor the rest of your life.
You little rascals!
Did you miss me that much?
Ah, the price of fame…
But still, you mustn't come here anymore.
But you promised you'd tell us
a fun story at dusk!
Ah, that's right!
Well then, I should finish the story today.
Now, where did I leave off?
Right when Hong Gil Dongmade a scarecrow out of straw
and tricked the Commissioner General!
Ah, yes! And so, Gil Dongrebuked the General, saying.
"You insolent wretch!"
"You know full well what you've done!"
Not you...
Gil Dong said that, not me.
"You brute! Being big doesn't meanyou can do whatever you want!"
No, no!
To the Commissioner General, not you.
You've returned.
How did it go?
Is Gyosan safe and sound?
He's coming back to Hanyangwith us now, isn't he?
It was a waste of time
I entertained a foolish hope.
We leave at first lightPrepare yourself.
Please.
Let me speak with him, Your Excellency.
Gyosan is a man who easily loses all reasonwhen it comes to women
but this isn't something
for you to meddle in, Mae Chang.
Please, just give me a chance.
Gyosan and I have beenclose friends for years.
If anyone can persuade him, it's me.
Friends?
Why is it that everyone Gyosansurrounds himself with is so...
Completely useless.
The fool doesn't even realize what he has.
He always said.
Every person holds value,a gift bestowed upon them by the heavens.
And that is precisely the kindof reckless thinking that led him here.
If exile has not taught him his lesson.
Then I have no choice but to prescribesomething far stronger.
When Gil Dong used his shapeshifting skillsto turn into a tree
he stood right before his pursuers,yet no one could find him.
Whoosh!
And when he fled, he covered vast distancesin the blink of an eye.
How's that?
You can't see my feet, right?
Then, one fateful night.
As Hong Gil Dong gazed at the night sky
a shooting star streaked across!
The moment he saw it, he knew
his father had passed away.
Though he was never allowedto call him "Father"
he swore, through tears,to fulfill his final duty as a son.
After mourning for three years,Hong Gil Dong led his men
to a land called Yuldoguk,where they would make a new home.
Why?
Why, you ask?
Because...
Yuldoguk was a land like no other.
What makes it so special?
Well… it was like paradise itself.
What's paradise?
How should I put it…
A place where there's no differencebetween high and lowborns
where food is abundant,so no one goes hungry
where the landscapes areas breathtaking as a painted folding screen.
So, Yuldoguk is a place that...
That is...
Never mind!
I'll write the rest down for you!
But we don't know how to read.
You know how to read, right?
Ask that man to read it for you.
Can't you just keep telling the story?
I can't.
If you keep coming here,you might end up getting flogged.
But if you really, really insist...
Guess they're more afraid of flogging.
Yuldoguk...
How could the imaginationof this Transcendent Genius hit a wall?
This is all because my stomach is empty.
In Yuldoguk, vast fertile fieldsstretch beyond the horizon…
From their rich soil,the finest white rice is harvested
Steamed to perfection and served witha tender skewer of grilled meat…
Wait, what am I even writing?
Again!
In the lands of Yuldoguk, conqueredby Hong Gil Dong, vibrant flowers bloom
and sweet birds sing in the mountains…
Pluck that bird's neck, skewer it
season it with salt,and roast it over glowing charcoal…
So delicious, you'd scorch your mouthand still keep eating!
I should've kept that braised fish for myselfinstead of giving it away!
Look at you, pitying otherswhen you can't even see your own fate.
If I can't stop thinking about food, I mightas well write down every dish I crave!
Deliver this letter.
Yes, My Lord.
What?!
I'd like to take a look at that letter.
You can't.
If he finds out,I'll be severely punished.
But wouldn't the punishment be even worseif he knew you've been using his name
to slip in and out of courtesan houses?
Show me.
It'll be fine as long aswe keep this between us.
Shh.
[The faction of reckless illegitimate sonsis causing unrest in the nation.]
[Find any excuse necessary to haveall seven of them arrested.]
Unbelievable.
I never realized there wereso many things I wanted to eat.
Well, given all the meals I've missedduring exile, it's no surprise.
I shall capture how people gnaw on nothingbut air while staring at a butcher's gate
to suppress their craving for meat
and name this book "Domundaejak".
Is someone there?
A ghost!?
It's Mae Chang, My Lord.
Mae Chang?
Is it truly you, Mae Chang?
Yes, it's me.
What dream did I have last night
to be blessed withso many familiar faces today?
But the guards must have been watching
I found a way to distract them for a moment.
Then come inside.
We shall speak of all that has passed.
I wish we could, but now is not the time.
The Inspector General was here, was he not?
And how would you know that?
You must listen to his request, My Lord.
Did Gwansong send you?
To persuade me?
No, I slipped away unnoticed.
Do not press me for answersJust heed my words.
I cannot.
I refuse to even consider it
so do not speak of it again.
But if you refuse now...
I know.
I will live out my daystrapped within these walls.
I have accepted my fateNow leave.
And if that's all you have to say,do not return.
My Lord, your friends are in danger.
The seven illegitimate sons you cherish!They are in grave danger.
What did you say?
My friends? In danger?
You know better than anyonethat once the Inspector General sets
his mind on something, he does not relent.
If you refuse, he will not waver.
He will simply use your friends instead.
That isn't something my friends can do.
Are you saying
he is plotting something against them?
No, he would never.
But I saw it with my own eye.
The letter written in his own hand.
My Lord!
Does he mean to achieve his will
by sacrificing my friends instead?
It's my fault
I rejected his offer, and now my friends…
Your Excellency!
Heo Gyun escaped his dwelling.
What nonsense is this?
How could you have let this happen?
Bring her!
I only did as you wished
I tried to change Gyosan's mind.
And so, I told him about the letter.
You fool...
Do you realize what you've done?
You have killed Gyosan.
I beg your pardon.
Killed him?
Now that Gyosan knows my plans
he cannot be allowed to live.
So tell me
did you not kill him yourself?
I was blind to the consequences.
Please, I beg you, abandon this course.
You should worry about your own life.
Your Excellency.
We searched the entire village,but he is already gone.
Shall I request cooperationfrom the neighboring villages?
No need.
He is heading for Hanyang.
All we need to do is block his path.
I have a trusted swordsman waiting ahead.
Words reach me soon enough.
Had I not been starving,I'd have crossed this hill in half an hour.
You wouldn't happen to havea rice ball, would you?
They say even ghosts look betterwhen they've died on a full stomach.
Have a little mercy on a dying man.
Don't underestimate meI once practiced the sword myself!
Let's see what you've got!
Check him.
Oh?
So books really are mightier than swords!
I take it Gwansong was the onewho ordered my death.
Tell him
that I accept my fate without resentment.
But in return, I ask thatmy innocent friends be spared.
Will you deliver that message?
I will. Now, it's time to go.
Go and stop him!
You don't need to kill him!
Run now!
It's time for you to go.
I want to disappear.
I want to vanish.
Sink right into the ground and be gone.
If things ever get tough,you can always talk to me.
You know where my office is, right?
Or what are you up to this weekend?
Where did you say you live?
Not too far from work, I hope?
Don't do it, Eun Sil.
You already know how this ends.
Standing up to power, exposing corruption.
will only get you fired, not those bastards.
Drink up, up, up!
Hold it in.
You have to...
Hold yourself back.
Stay quiet, Bong Eun Sil.
What the?
This is too good to keep to myself
so I figured I'd capture the momentto remember the company dinner.
Sir, you look terrible right now.
Smile.
Have you lost your mind?
- Hey, turn the music off.- Hey!
Turn off that music.
- Give me that!- Sorry, no can do!
Still got 20 months left on the payments,so it's practically brand new.
Don't you know who I am?
Of course I know who you are.
You're the CEO's one-and-only brother.
The almighty No.2 of our company.
Director Ko.
That's why, even now, you still get awaywith harassing female employees.
Do you have a death wish or something?
I very much want to live.
But if I have to go down…
I'm not going alone.
You're coming with me, Director.
Darn it.
I'm doomed.
Thanks to you, My Lord.We're eating well today.
Gwansong!
How's that?
I remember falling asleep while writing...
But where am I?
No... My topknot!
Where did my topknot go?
What misfortune is this?
What on earth happened while I was asleep?
A wretched world.
What the?
Mister, you can't just sleep here like this.
Bong Eun Sil, mind your business!
Okay, stop being nosy!
Excuse me, young lady!
Where is this place?
You want to know where we are?
This is hell.
A living hell.
Hell?
Then, am I dead?
I got fired today, too.
Were you burnt at the stake?
But then, I...
I have no idea why I've died.
Did I starve to death?
Mister.
In our next life
let's be reborn as a CEO's little brother.
Promise.
If you're drunk, just come home quietlyinstead of making a fuss!
Go inside!
That was delicious.
Thanks, take care.
Excuse me!
This is my first time in the afterlife
so forgive my boldness.
Could you spare some food?
We're closed for today,come back in the morning.
Madam, please!
Take your time eating.
I won't close up until you finish.
Thank you.
Your hair is in the way.
Try tying it back with this.
Hunger makes the best seasoning,but this is beyond amazing!
People might come to the afterlifejust to eat this!
You are quite witty.
Are you a comedian?
You surely look like one.
Gomedwian?
Is there such a public post in Joseon?
I've never heard of it.
Mom, water.
Get it yourself!
Would you like some more kkakdugi?
Ugh, my head…
You're awake, my fellow afterlife traveler.
What fellow traveler?
Didn't you say it earlier?
That you got fired.
Keep it down!Mom will kill me if she finds out.
Aren't you already dead?
Mister, do you even have money?
For the meal, do you?
I usually keep some coins right here…
I knew it.
You're obviously homeless.
No kkakdugi for you!Mom, this guy has no money.
Just eat. Don't worry about the money.
Are we running a charity here?
This guy doesn't pay because he's broke.
That guy eats for free because he's sick.
And that's why, no matter how hard you work,you never save a dime.
You talk like you run the place
but you don't lift a fingerso stay out of it.
I'll run the restaurant,you just focus on keeping your job.
Don't mind her, just eat.
Serving a warm meal to someone hungry
is a good deed.
Yeah, yeah, I've heard that one before.
I'm going to run this place till I drop.
Ugh, my head…
If I may ask…
Why do you two keep talkingabout life and death?
Can one even die twice?
I haven't died before,but I sure feel like I did.
So this is what being alive feels like.
I feel like I could do anything!
Wow, he's completely lost it.
I may have nothing right now
but I'll return to repaythe cost of this meal.
Until then...
Keep this as collateral.
I said you don't need to pay.
Just take it.
Do you have a place to stay?
A man doesn't diejust because he sleeps under the stars.
Many a time, I spent the night like thaton my way to the civil service exam.
Civil service exams...
Then...
Wow, he's really deep in character.
Go inside.
Incredible.
Houses towering higher than mountains…
Carriages swifter than horses…
This place...
This is not Joseon!
They speak Joseon's tongueyet wear foreign clothes.
Men and women mingle freely,without restraint.
Food is plentiful, and no one starves.
This must be!
The Yuldoguk I dreamed of!
Yuldoguk is real!
No, that can't be…!
[Youngest Korean CuisineMaster's Restaurant, Dorae]
[Chef Lee Hyuk]
Gwansong?
I'm sorry, Ms. Bong.
Because of me...
You're severely mistaken.
Do you think I did it for you?
It was for my own peace of mind.
But still...
But you should express yourself firmly.
Director Ko only preys on thosewho won't push back.
Ji Eun, about what I asked earlier.
You should get going.
Even while getting fired,I still can't mind my own business.
Hello.
Chef Lee Hyuk?
Hello.
You look even better in person.
I've seen you a lot on TV.
Thank you.
You must be the daughterof the diner owner, right?
Do you know me?
Of course, we're neighbors.
"We?"
Oh, do you have some time to spare?
Of course!
Please come inside.
Why is everything so expensive?
It's an appetizer madewith truffles and sea bream.
Do you eat raw fish?
Only when I can get my hands on it.
But why all this for me?
I've always wanted to serve my foodto my neighbors at least once.
Wow, how thoughtful of you.
This is incredible.
Does it suit your taste?
It's so refined.
A whole different level from diner food.
Not that I should be saying this…
Speaking of which...
I actually have some questionsabout your mother's place.
- Excuse me, can I ask you something?- Yes?
Do you know what "Dorae" is?
Over there.
[Dorae]
Gwansong!
I came to the right place.
I never thoughtI'd find Gwansong in Yuldoguk.
Oh, don't even get me started.
Can you believe it's only 5,000 wonin this economy? Just 5,000 won!
We barely make 500 won per serving
and on top of that, my mom keeps findingexcuses to give meals away for free.
The more we sell,the deeper we sink into the red.
Why does your mother insist on continuingthis profitless and tough business?
I have no clue!
I've been nagging her to close it down.
But my mom saidshe'll run the business till she drops.
She's unstoppable.
I see.
Hello there.
Is anyone inside?
Hello there!
- Who...- Gwansong!
Why are you here again?
Don't be rude to the chef!
Are you okay?
I'm okay.
Do you know him?
Know him?
He ate at our place yesterday,
but he seems mentally unwell...
Wait, you're the lady from last night...
Does this mean I've returnedto last night's tavern?
What's he on about?