[The Matchmakers]
[Production supported by] [The Ministry of Arts] [Korea Creative Content Agency]
[This is a work of fiction. Characters, places, agencies, incidents, organizations, religion, and the setting have no connections to real life.]
[All animals were filmed under expert supervision.]
[Shim Jung Woo / 25 years old / Prince Consort and Inspector]
[Note: Widowed Prince]
The reason I am petitioning to invalidate my marriage to the princess
is because my inability to take public office is the greatest waste of Joseon's resources.
My life, besides making appeals, is that of a scholar-official.
[Jangakwon*] (Government office for music and dance during the Joseon Dynasty)
I am diligent not only in academia but also in art and culture.
I am very impressed.
You have reached the same level of skills as me in only six months of learning.
I would say it is not exactly the same.
You mentioned that the basics of playing Daegeum
are the correct tempo and controlling your breathing.
And didn't you say that the perfection of a performance is having your own color?
You are correct.
But your performance lacks your own personality.
So, how could you say your performance is as perfect as mine?
I no longer have anything to learn from here.
I will not be coming to jangakwon any longer.
[Dohwaseo*] (Institution for drawings for Joseon Dynasty)
The way the sunlight shines in the picture. It is as if the sunlight is alive.
Do not just sit in the corner of your room and draw with your imagination.
I advise you to come outside and capture Joseon's light and scenery.
Although I believe it would not be easy for a drastic shift in thinking.
Good luck.
I think it's a little lower. Should I give it a go?
He's alive.
- Are you not too hot? - I am okay.
- Why don't you rest for awhile? - No, I am really fine.
Geez!
Gosh, I am stressed.
You cannot learn to give acupuncture after teaching you all these years.
I wonder why you're so good at love, you rascals!
What could they do?
Love is for those foolish and lowly people who cannot control their own hearts.
Your Excellency, why do you learn such foolish study of medicine?
Are you looking for the cause of what happened eight years ago?
No. Since there is no physician in Joseon who can cure my chronic abdominal pain.
I am in search of a cure myself.
[Episode 2: A Bad Feeling is Never Wrong]
I order this traitor the punishment of poison!
Yes, Your Majesty.
T-This is...
This is unfair, Your Majesty.
If you deem this unfair, shall I give you a chance?
It is rather simple to wed His Highness the Crown Prince.
Since the old maidens in the city were the excuse to hinder His Highness to wed,
I believe the problem will be resolved by getting rid of old maidens.
I see...
Our late king...
The king before him, and the one before him...
The problem of old maidens and old bachelors that all these previous kings could not resolve.
I should solve it within two months?
You...
Everyone in Joseon knows that this problem cannot be solved immediately.
By quickly marrying a few exemplary old maidens to old bachelors and using them as examples,
you can announce that the Royal Court is concerned about the issue of old maidens and old bachelors
and proceed with the wedding for His Highness, no one would be able to stop it.
He's suggesting window dressing!
What are you nodding for?
If you continue to express concern, it would not be for a mere display.
You would not ignore the issue of old maidens and old bachelors, right?
Huh?
Yes.
That is right.
But the idea of an "exemplary old maiden" is much too abstract.
Your Majesty!
I, your humble servant, have a few old maidens who come to mind.
- Chief Royal Secretary, you? - Yes.
The three daughters of Maeng Sang Chun, who live in Namsan Village, are all old maidens.
- Three? Maeng Sang Chun? - Yes.
Maeng Sang... It sounds familiar.
He was your childhood friend when you were the crown prince.
O-Oh yes, I know!
Gosh, that fellow really loved to study.
I heard he passed away five years ago or so.
Why have all three daughters not been able to wed?
I am not sure about the details.
Since it is very rare for all three daughters to be old maidens,
people call them the "Old Maidens of Namsan Village."
Seeing that such rumors have reached my ears,
I believe they will be perfect as exemplary old maidens, as His Excellency Gyeong Woon Jae mentioned.
However, if a king specifically picks those daughters to help them wed,
would that not cause a commotion about fairness?
Yes, about that...
- Oh... - "Oh"?
Oh, yes. Well...
"Trust is essential between friends."
[Trust is essential between friends] Not only one, but three. It is rather immoral to watch your friend's daughters live as old maidens.
Your Majesty, you have the full right to specifically choose and help those sisters.
This kid is very smart.
Yes.
Then, Jung Woo, you shall wed all three daughters of Master Maeng within two months.
Pardon? How could I marry them off...
When I look at the appeals you have submitted so far,
there is no one in Joseon who knows more about the wedding and its procedures than you do.
If you succeed, I will examine this appeal you have made optimistically.
However, if you fail, I will punish you for deceiving the royal family,
and you shall be doomed to drink this poison.
Keep this poison safe and sound!
[Shim Jung Woo]
Your Excellency!
How could Your Excellency be a traitor? What is happening?
Oh Bong, my path to take public office has finally opened.
Has the appeal been accepted?
Not right away. But it is no different than saying it has been accepted.
For someone as outstanding as I am...
there is no reason I cannot be a matchmaker.
If this is a success, will you permit Gyeongwoonjae Prince's marriage annulment?
You are speaking nonsense.
I am sorry that my princess passed at such a young age.
I must not make her a virgin spirit.
I cannot breathe thinking that I cannot see you after marriage, Young Master.
Maiden, we can be together forever.
If we drink this, we can sleep painlessly forever.
I would like to, Young Master.
Are you two crazy?
What is this?
What would've happened if I had not come here today?
Yeojudaek?
Please keep this a secret from my mother.
For someone considering to die, are you scared of your mother?
I hoped that the person you were seeing was a nobleman.
He is of a much higher class.
Maiden, who is she?
The second son of Chief Royal Secretary, Young Master Kim Ho.
Right?
The deductive method you use to find a spouse you speak of.
Can you tell someone's family background and name just by their appearance?
Of course...
I-I cannot know their names.
The way he was dressed was exactly like a son of high officials.
Since he could easily come and go to the biggest mill in the capital, I thought he must be wealthy.
I saw the identity tag dropped on the ground.
But if it is Chief Royal Secretary, is not the gap with the lady's family too great?
That's the problem.
Even if Scholar Song is wealthy,
Chief Royal Secretary will only see them as new money. He would not wed them.
But I am not the one to give up on such a good-looking couple like them.
Why do you work so hard?
Huh?
It's not as if you earn more money when you match a good couple.
You always overdo it every time.
Because it's only once.
For a noblewoman, there is only one husband.
So, whatever means it takes, she must wed someone of good fate.
Marriage is to bring the good of two households together
to support the nation and royal family and produce the next generation.
But still, do you not think you need to meet the ladies you need to wed?
Come now. I wrote appeals about marriage for eight years.
There's nothing I do not know about marriage.
According to the family rites,
the marriage ritual begins with inquiring matchmakers to match the families.
We can just use matchmakers to meet with the old maidens.
Therefore, I will not need to meet with the old maidens of Namsan Village until they are wed.
Eyes, nose, mouth. Everything is perfect.
I have never seen a man this handsome.
Gosh, how beautiful he looks.
Are you here to buy makeup for your wife?
Aigoo...
How come a man's hands are so pretty?
My gosh! Come on now!
Stop and step aside!
He's not someone you can speak so carelessly!
It's because he has not said a single word, gathering us busy people here.
Shall I do the talking?
No, it is my job.
I have to wed three of my teacher's daughters before the end of May.
Gosh, three of them?
If by May, it is a little tight.
Well, you can say it's nearly impossible.
The pay will be twice the municipal rate!
- It's not your money. - It should be at least that much.
If professionals like us come together and divide the work, two months is plenty of time.
That is right. It's actually more than enough time.
But which ladies from what family?
They are the daughters of Master Maeng, who live in Namsan Village.
Sir, we do not set up old maidens.
We just wasted our time.
Come now. How could matchmakers refuse to set people up?
It is not that we will not do it. We cannot, Sir.
Why so?
Gosh, where shall I even start?
I worked as a matchmaker for their second daughter when I first started the job.
Do not even get me started. She has such a dirty mouth.
They say if you are unlucky, you can get pregnant by drinking rice water.
Gosh! What idiot steals only one shoe?
This would be settled if you just show me what's inside that basket.
Why should I?
My goodness!
You are a thief!
If not, why are you trying to hide this so much?
What is this commotion?
Gosh...
She doesn't just have a bad mouth, but she's also very physical.
She's a fighter.
The first daughter has such a pretty face. Why couldn't she marry?
She relied too much on her face and was too picky.
So what if she has a pretty face? She's not smart.
If you look at her face, she looks so dense.
Is the dense* because of her name? (Sounds like "Maeng" in Korean which is their last name)
That is old news.
According to recent rumors...
Maiden Cho Ok's been possessed by a ghost.
- Really? - Is that true?
I guess the protagonist of the vulgar rumor was their first daughter.
What in the world! You scared me! Seriously!
Cold, cold!
Stop it!
Wait... Where is she?
So, every night, she hunts on any guy that comes by the stream.
They say birds of a feather flock together.
Maiden Cho Ok was close with older maidens.
It'll be impossible for their first daughter to wed because of such a horrible rumor.
Exactly! She should have agreed to be the Defense Minister's mistress last year.
Gosh, you've gone too far.
Then, what about the youngest daughter?
She's also an odd one.
One time, she apparently dressed up as a man.
Oh, t-that millstone* girl that I've only heard of? (Androgyny)
Millstone girl!
Goodness, you must be dizzy, Sir.
So, to organize what's been said...
The oldest is pretty but has high standards,
possessed by a virgin spirit and behaves promiscuously.
The second is good at sewing but verbally vulgar and vicious.
The youngest has questionable sexual preferences.
A nobleman is definitely different.
You organized that at once.
So, there is no one who will take on this matchmaking?
Sir...
Yeojudaek might be able to take on this matchmaking.
Yeojudaek?
She will do anything, regardless of means or method for her case.
I need to shave my head?
They say taking care of oneself is the beginning of filial duty.
I cannot do that.
You know that taking care of your body is the beginning of filial duty.
Do you not know dying before your parents is the worst thing you can do to them?
You know a lot about manners, Merchant.
After you two wed, gifting your parents with a grandchild
seems like the way to make up for shaving your head, a small act of impiety.
No matter how much you stop me, I will become a monk.
You cannot! N-No! You cannot!
Do not stop him!
Taking care of oneself is the beginning of filial duty. You bastard!
Good job. Now, just believe in me.
You cannot go! No!
There is a lady who will quell your son's sudden shift to Buddhism.
Shall I set them up?
Does Yeojudaek happen to be the-
Is she the one with a mole under her eye?
That's right.
She has that mole and cannot join our group because her looks are not up to our standards.
We must qualify in many ways to do the job that we do.
That man over there asked for geumjam* poison? (Golden silkworm)
What does he do?
I am not quite sure.
An idler? A rich one.
Has a lot of money...
Are you going somewhere?
Yes, outhouse.
Yeojudaek doesn't come to the merchants' inn every day.
If you're in a hurry, go to the Namchon house.
Sir!
Sir, the donkey...
Geez...
After shaving the Young Master's hair and showed Maiden Yeon Hui,
they approved right away.
They were ready to say yes to any ordinary woman.
I am so happy to think that they will live happily ever after.
This is why I cannot stop matchmaking.
Then, what happens to the young master, who is a mother's boy, the maiden's original match?
That good-looking young master?
I only said he was a mother's boy to break the match.
He's not a mother's boy but more a model young master.
Luckily, there's a lady who is perfect for him.
Who is that lady?
- This is crazy. - How malicious.
- How could they end it like this? - This is the end?
[The Madam's Private Life]
She's a perfect match with her future mother-in-law.
A lady who is even more perfect for the young master.
How are you sure they will be a good match or not, Madam?
Should I tell you my secret to recognizing a good match?
Yes!
I don't tell this to anyone, so listen carefully.
You need to look at the young lady and young man closely with affectionate eyes.
What is that?
You can deduce if you look very closely with affectionate eyes.
Well, the fact that the model young master is wearing his Confucian scholar outfit at home means
it probably means his mother likes her son wearing that.
That would mean he grew up looking up to his father being considerate toward his mother.
Considerate men like him are devoted-husband types
and are well-suited with independent and strong-minded ladies.
You still have something to say to me?
I called for a palanquin.
Please wait and ride it home.
What are you saying?
Anyone would have been suspicious of thou in that situation.
However, I hastily judged thou as a thief without concrete evidence
and caused thou to hurt thine foot. So, please take the palanquin home.
Thou, bullshit.
You treated me like a thief a minute ago!
On top of that, you don't admit your wrongs.
Anyone could've doubted me? Bullshit!
It pisses me off the more I think about it.
M-Maiden, I would be sorry if you just left.
Where do you think you're touching!
I-It's just that-
What do you think you're doing in broad daylight!
A man and a woman should be separated.
How pathetic you two look.
Which families are you two from?
That is...
What's with that geezer?
Geezer?
This is why I don't like coming to Bukchon.
Why not you get on the palanquin first and avoid that geezer?
Follow me.
Goodness, Sir...
I apologize for suspecting you.
Oh, does it hurt again?
Take the lady to her home.
I apologize for causing a commotion.
The commotion is not the point of your wrongdoings.
The problem is...
Gosh! You are not well!
Do you know how rough the young masters are nowadays? Why would you meddle?
"Why would you meddle"?
Is that how you should talk to me?
Aigoo...
Even the children of nobles are fiddling foolishly. I worry for Joseon's future.
A-Aigoo...
Aigoo...
Goodness.
Madam, will you find my match in the future?
Of course.
I won't take matchmaking fees from you, Bok Hee.
Can you write what you just said on paper?
With your signature, Madam.
You raised your daughter so smartly.
She'll grow up to be rich.
That would be nice.
I'm going to the merchants' inn to deliver something. Let's go together.
Huh?
I'll go a little later.
The weather is too nice to go home early.
All right. Bok Hee, let's go.
The sun is so warm.
Twenty years had passed. How could she have sat in the same place?
Please be patient.
[5 Years Ago] You will know the reason when I read the end.
Apologies, I was just too curious.
I will continue to read.
Looking at the bride sitting the same way she was the first night twenty years ago,
I felt more worried than scared.
The scholar caressed her shoulder.
At that moment, the bride turned into ashes and broke into pieces.
The ashes turned into a white butterfly
and flew away after wandering around the scholar.
The end of this story is always sad yet beautiful to read.
O-Oh over there.
It must be that house.
Yes...
Go and bring the donkey.
All of a sudden?
Yeojudaek's house is right in front of us.
Listen! We cannot walk back on our way home.
This is why I asked you to wait earlier.
Also, I can meet with Yeojudaek alone.
I understand, Sir.
What's this? This doesn't feel like the first time I've felt abandoned.
I'm probably mistaken to think that His Excellency seems very excited.
Is anyone there?
Did you wake up because of me?
What is this?
A dream?
I want to go back to sleep if it's a dream.
I miss you, my dear husband.
This...
is too realistic...
What is it?
Gosh.
Merchant, sir? What are you doing right now?
I have done nothing!
I only grabbed your belongings just in case they fell.
Why? For what reason?
What did you do while I was nodding off?
You tried to do something! Not me!
No matter how uneducated a merchant you may be,
a man and a woman should be separate, and ethical codes are strict.
How could you dare touch a stranger's neck?
T-Then, why have you come into a widow's house like a stray cat, Sir?
I am not a stray cat. Well!
I-I came here...
to request a matchmaking.
Matchmaking?
You don't seem that way, but do you have a child old enough to wed?
I do not have children!
Then, for yourself?
I am already in wedlock.
Then, who are you asking for?
Goodness. How long was I asleep?
I intend to wed Master Maeng's three daughters in Namsan Village within two months.
Did you say marry off not one but all three improbable daughters of Master Maeng?
Within two months?
Not "improbable." You mean "impossible." As in not possible.
I've always wanted to match make the daughters of Master Maeng...
What should I do?
No. It's dangerous to get involved with an annoying nobleman like him.
What's more dangerous is that the sun is going down right now.
I apologize, but I cannot accept any more requests due to ongoing matches.
Also, I must hurry somewhere now.
The merchants at the inn said you would be very capable of accomplishing the task.
Sir, why do you want to wed Master Maeng's daughters?
I am an inspector, and it is a Royal order to abolish old maidens.
What did you say right now?
No need to feel pressured since it's a Royal order.
You just need to do as you always do.
Hold on, before that. What, abolish old maidens?
Are old maidens some kind of bandits? To abolish?
I never take requests from people who have a mind like you, Sir.
I am in a hurry, so goodbye.
I mean...
It's not "a mind like me," but this is a Royal order!
Come now, how rude of you to just leave after saying your say.
Stop right there.
I said stop right there.
I have not yet finished talking!
I should make sure to tell you this, Sir.
Old maidens are women, too. And marriage is as important to them as it is to other ladies.
Therefore, you cannot approach them as subjects to abolish!
Marriage is the biggest event in a person's life!
Not "biggest." "Important."
Pardon?
You're an idiot who can't even decipher words.
Who do you think I am that you are attempting to teach me?
Everyone should learn if they are ignorant.
I am not the ignorant one here!
Stop right there! Where are you going? I am not finished talking!
Move aside!
Open your eyes wide.
W-Wait... Where did she go...
Where are you?
Am I the only one who cannot see you?
Reveal yourself!
Where did you go?
You want to catch me with that running skill?
Your Excellency!
Did the conversation with the merchant go well?
Why is everyone treating me this way?
Pardon?
I am trying my best to demolish the curse of old maidens with a Royal order.
Neither above nor below, no one abides by their duty.
What use is it if I am the only one abiding by the laws and principles?
That's probably what he would say.
It is very dangerous. Please take a different route.
He is Your Excellency Gyeong Woon Jae!
Don't become a victim of his resentment! Retrieve!
Resentful Man!
I definitely think I saw a few Confucian students who weren't focusing on their studies.
I haven't seen them.
You did not see, Oh Bong.
Please get on the donkey. I will bring it over.
Sure.
I can see everything, Oh Bong.
Oh Bong, follow me slowly.
[Bukchon]
Come on.
Okay, come now.
Is it done?
It's good.
Geun Seok, mother's coming in.
Mother, I am heading to school now.
Don't study too hard. You won't grow tall.
It's a great day for matchmaking.
Why are you suddenly going to Hanseongbu?
I had not thought it through.
This case is not an ordinary marriage but an official duty.
Therefore, I need to follow the necessary procedures.
Go slowly. Slowly.
I am going slowly.
Have you lost your mind?
Since she is the only daughter of the Left State Minister,
she has both the wealth and reputation that you seek, Madam.
What's holding you back?
Do you not know that the Left State Minister and our family are political opponents?
Three years ago, I linked Joseon's greatest political opponents, His Excellency Ha and An, through marriage.
Remember? Those two families are the only ones who survived the great purge quietly.
The Left State Minister's daughter is wise and bold.
She will become the wings to your son, who is fragile like his father.
More importantly...
The Left State Minister was the one who initiated this matchmaking.
Is that true?
How could I tell such a lie to you, Madam?
They have even sent the lady's fortune.
Did you already receive permission from the bride's side?
Not even close. I haven't even spoken about it.
How did you get her fortune without getting permission?
The lady is actually my sister-in-law, so I just paid to have it made.
I see.
You are matchmaking for your sister-in-law?
With that said, could you act as Yeojudaek just this one time?
What?
You would not be pretending because you are Yeojudaek.
People cannot tell who I am with makeup.
I cannot openly act as a matchmaker in front of my mother-in-law.
I cannot, either.
Do not say no without trying.
It is not difficult at all.
What if I get caught?
Are you okay, Madam?
Why would we get caught?
To Chancellor's wife, I am Yeojudaek.
To my mother-in-law, Yeojudaek will be Yeojudaek.
In-laws seem close, but they are actually very far and complicated.
Would prospective in-laws meet and check the matchmaker's face?
Anyway, I cannot go to your house, Madam.
That's my answer.
Please, Yeojudaek.
Please?
Yeojudaek?
[Hanseongbu]
- Wait here. - Yes, Sir.
The children of the noble class are the problem.
They never listen.
They think they are the best in the world.
[Hanseongbu Mayor Kim Moon Gun] But think they were born in the wrong generation.
Just answer my question, please.
The problem of old maidens and old bachelors is Hanseongbu's jurisdiction, right?
T-T-That is the case.
Not one, but three daughters of my Master Maeng from
Sungkyunkwan are aging as old maidens.
How could you neglect the poor women who are to live in this cruel world alone?
You really are clueless.
Hanyang is the city of administration and consumption.
Even if you're a woman, if you're good at sewing, cooking, or anything professionally,
she would not have problems living alone, although she might not wed.
How could you know the way of the world when you haven't taken public office?
What did you just say?
If you're concerned about the old maidens' hardships of life,
look into their family situation first.
If their sick mother is getting treatment in an expensive curing room every day,
it means they are unable to wed because of their reputation, not their circumstances.
Mayor sir, Hyeminseo* administrator is urgently asking to see you. (Public health center)
All right.
I do not know why you're suddenly concerned about the Master's daughters.
How about finding a match in this list of old bachelors?
As you can see, I am busy governing the country. All right, then.
"Busy governing the country? All right, then"?
He's a lot lower in class than I am as a prince, but he habitually cuts me off.
And he fell much behind than I did on the State Examination. He is full of himself.
[The Madam's Private Life]
Madam, who is barely showing her eyes through her long hood,
is sitting mysteriously under the light coming through the small side window.
With her gaze fixed on the chief of the Royal Investigation Bureau,
she slowly took off her long hood.
The fabric was see-through, showing her skin.
The madam's long hood dropped to her shoulder and down to her chest, hip, and legs...
Her silhouette showed clearly.
You will not be able to leave easily today.
I need to confirm your face. So take off your long hood.
You will regret it.
[To be continued in the second volume...]
T-This is how it ends?
How malicious!
What are you peeking at?
From your uniform, I can tell you are a Hanseongbu officer.
If you do not explain why this vulgar book is here,
you will not be able to keep your position.
You should reveal who you are first.
I am Shim Jung Woo from Gyeongwoonjae, Bukchon.
Your Excellency Gyeong Woon Jae.
These books are evidence.
What a poor excuse.
How could such adult-rated novels women read be evidence for what case?
It is evidence to capture the culprit behind Lee Cho Ok of Pildong's suicide by drowning.
Was he appointed through nepotism?
What family do you belong to?
I'm Jung Soon Goo, the eldest son of Jung Yeon Moo, the border security officer.
Right. You must be in-laws with the rumored Left State Minister.
If you gained an office by selling off your sister, you should study even if you made it in.
If she drowned herself, then what culprit are you speaking of?
And the evidence for that is a novel? None of that makes sense.
No one in this world would willingly drown themselves.
Tens of Hwa Rok's novels were found in the late Lee Cho Ok's room.
There is nothing odd about a woman enjoying novels.
Hwa Rok's novels depict stories of noblemen disguised as servants
or about falling in love with the crown prince who is incognito. They're absurd.
Therefore, Lee Cho Ok avoided marriage due to her high standards.
Judging that she committed suicide due to her pessimistic views of being an old maid
[Unlawful death: Causing one to drive themselves to death] so, we are looking for Hwa Rok for unlawful death.
Do you truly believe that Lee Cho Ok committed suicide because of a novel?
I am only obeying orders.
How could one work without thinking?
Bring me Lee Cho Ok's investigation records.
[Sinjumuwonrok*] (Forensics)
Here are Lee Cho Ok's investigation records.
Why are there so many wounds on someone who committed suicide?
The autopsy states they were wounds from the river.
They are clearly stab wounds in my eyes.
The depth of the wound is 1.8 poon.
A depth capable of immediate death.
Do you know a lot about autopsies?
I am the one who wrote the footnotes to that Sinjumuwonrok you so cherish.
Unlike the autopsy report, you believe that Lee Cho Ok did not die from suicide by drowning
but was stabbed to death and thrown into the river,
according to what you wrote on that paper.
Since you're investigating independently, you're not as incompetent as I thought.
That is a relief.
I have heard that Master Maeng's wife Jo is visiting this place.
Inform her that I am asking to meet with her.
Please wait for a moment.
When did you look into that?
I find out through my wisdom.
Parents are most responsible for their children's marriages.
If I tell the old maidens' mother that I will wed them to decent old bachelors,
I believe the problem will be resolved.
Are you Master Maeng's wife Jo of Namsan Village?
Goodness.
In what way do I look like a wife?
No, I requested to meet with Madam Jo.
I am his eldest daughter, Maeng Ha Na.
My mother is inside receiving acupuncture.
She is unwell and cannot meet with any outsiders.
She told me to ask what the matter was about.
I am an inspector who received Royal orders to arrange marriages for you ladies.
I am here to relay the good news that
I am here to arrange marriages to good men for you.
She's moved that she'll marry thanks to Royal orders.
She must have wanted to marry so much.
Are you saying that an outdated list of old bachelors is a list of good matches?
You're knowledgeable on Chinese characters for a woman.
There must have been a misunderstanding.
It is not that we could not wed but rather decided not to.
We do not need any help.
Come now. It's pitiful to see that a daughter of nobility is causing her parents agony.
What do you mean?
If not for disrespecting your parents, what would you call refusing to wed at an old age?
I can feel your mother's concern.
Mother also does not desire for us to wed.
What kind of nonsense is this?
What parent in all of Joseon wishes their children not to wed?
Unni.
Mother is looking for you.
Yes, let's go.
I am still speaking! Where are you going?
Sir, the only principle that comes before the principle of patriotism in Confucianism is filial duty.
To listen to a strange man who doesn't believe my words,
how could I delay tending to my sick mother?
It would be wrong.
Do you know that you are committing high treason?
According to the law, when a woman does not marry before she turns 24,
unless you are impoverished, the parents are to be punished.
So, if you want to do due diligence for your parents,
you will need to wed the person I choose.
Please do try.
Let's go.
That foolish lady put her pride first and continued to lie.
And the mayor simply accuses the issue of old maidens as society's structural problem!
The current state of Joseon is more than heartbreaking!
Well, now what?
What do you mean now what?
I shall show them the severity of the law.
W-What is the matter?
We need to go somewhere together.
Oh, I see.
Just come in. Come.
Y-Your Maj-
Y-You! Y-Your!
We are incognito right now. Just come in and sit.
Aigoo...
Pour.
Oh, yes.
I really don't like him.
I said to take care of it quietly.
But you went to the Mayor and just babbled away.
I was only following the order of the matter...
Are you talking back?
If I thought the Mayor could do the job, why would I have ordered you?
Hey! I'm the king!
What am I saying?
The Mayor is the right-hand man to the Left State Minister.
But how could you show all of our cards to him?
You can rest assured about that.
They are foolish, so they would never think that I am working to hasten the Crown Prince's marriage.
Gyeongwoonjae Prince came to me out of the blue
and suddenly made a fuss about marrying off the old maidens.
What a mess it was. [Left State Minister Jo Young Bae]
Why does he care about marrying off the old maidens? [Minister of Defense Park Bok Gi]
"Old maidens"?
That's what people call the daughters of Master Maeng Sang Chun of Sungkyunkwan.
All three daughters are unwed old maidens.
So why is Gyeong Woon Jae suddenly out to wed Maeng Ha Na?
Is there a reason for what Gyeongwoonjae Prince does?
He has a lot of time but nothing to do.
It is his hobby to go around the office and make appeals.
But why is he so focused on Maeng Ha Na?
I am merely curious.
If you say you're an inspector and threaten her with the law,
you might be able to wed the first daughter.
Then what about the other two daughters? Are we to wait until they turn 24?
I gave you two months.
Well, from what I hear, the skilled matchmaker
could find a noble widow a virgin to wed.
How could a noblewoman vowed to monogamy remarry?
On top of that, with a virgin?
I was just saying this as an example. What!
Don't you dare look me straight in my eyes!
Anyway, you are too inflexible and unaware. So useless.
You. Let's say your appeal gets accepted, and you take public office.
Do you think you can make it alive in this rough political world?
Aigoo...
Look.
If I had given you the poison that night,
incriminated Left State Minister and sent him to exile,
I could have had the Crown Prince marry.
But had I done that, I would have lost a lot more.
Jung Woo...
Politics...
is about losing less and gaining what you want.
Keep that in mind.
Aigoo, looks good.
The fire seems weak. They should replace the coal.
Among the peddlers at the Hongwol merchants' inn, there is a skilled matchmaker.
It couldn't be...
Yeojudaek.
She is a talent who married off my troublemaker second son.
A bad feeling is never wrong.
I have asked her especially.
So go and meet her at the inn tomorrow.
- I will figure that out. - How so?
Listen to me this time.
I especially asked Yeojudaek, who is very busy.
Make sure to recruit her even if you must pay extra.
Come and grill this meat.
We need more coal.
Hwa Rok.
I have plans, so please just tell me quickly...
or should I hear it next time?
Please be a matchmaker.
For whom?
Have you heard of the old maidens of Namsam Village?
I have.
I ask that you wed the first and second daughters.
Wow...
What could this be?
I cannot believe I was asked to set up old maidens this many times in the past two days.
You are the third person, Hwa Rok.
Who else asked?
I ask that you help the inspector.
How could a matchmaker like me help the inspector?
The task is to wed the old maidens of Namsan Village.
You can definitely help.
A bad feeling is never wrong.
Could you tell me why you're requesting this matchmaking, Hwa Rok?
O-Oh well, I know Maiden Maeng Ha Na quite well.
The nobleman who didn't fall for you
said he was an inspector fulfilling Royal orders and said to wed any old bachelor he chooses.
My sister reassured me that there would be no man who would want to wed her.
But Unni is too clueless about the world.
Unni...
Hwa Rok, are you the "old maiden"?
I knew you were a woman from the start.
Whoa, Hwa Rok, you were the old maidens.
Well, then-
O-Oh Hwa Rok...
why are you crying?
I am so surprised and worried that you spotted me right away.
I will keep the secret that you are Hwa Rok, so please do not worry.
So to organize, since the Sir who did not fall for me
said that he would wed your first sister to anyone,
you are requesting matchmaking because you are worried about your sister, right?
Maiden?
Actually, that's not it.
It's because I want to wed!
My older sisters should get married, so I could also get married since I'm the youngest.
My sisters didn't even budge when an inspector threatened them.
I am here out of frustration!
Please marry off my older sisters.
Also, please keep it a secret from my family that I requested the matchmaking.
Why so?
When I was 16, I wrote an agreement that I would never get married and live them forever.
Does not everyone think that when they are young?
But I don't want to die a virgin...
without getting married.
Of course. You should wed.
That means you'll set up my sisters, right?
I will look for good matches for the three of you, including you, Hwa Rok.
Thank you.
Just trust in me.
Aigoo...
She would refuse if she saw me.
I wonder how rude you were to her...
I should have gone with you then.
First, please apologize when the matchmaker comes.
Why should I? I did nothing wrong!
Please do as I say.
You probably are not very aware, Your Excellency.
Most women forgive as long as you apologize. So...
How dare you say I am unaware.
Who is really the one who does not know the rules and boundaries?
Enough! I immediately...
would like to apologize. I am sorry about last time.
I will set up the old maidens.
♫ I don't know what's happening ♫
♫ My world changed the day you arrived ♫
♫ I don't know how I feel ♫
♫ It's my first time, so I'm unsure of this feeling ♫
♫ Is it love? ♫
[The Matchmakers]
♫ My heart races and aches from the moment I met you ♫
♫ To me, you're my other half ♫
The timeline is two months, and I do every step with you, Sir.
Please get away from me.
I have come to set up marriages for your daughters.
You have wasted your trip.
Do you know what double fate fortune is?
Double fate fortune...
I think I am double fate fortune.
I wondered if anyone had looked for geumjam poison in the past.
Gyeongwoonjae Prince is definitely on our side.
The most definite people will also become our biggest foes.
I must search the house.
♫ No matter how hard I try, in my head ♫
[The Matchmakers]