Post by TheBo on Jun 12, 2011 8:22:00 GMT -5
Ep.6:
San and Eunuch Nam run down to the river, and see the body of the man (Eunuch Han) who had discovered the guard who stole the pigment. San, very upset, wants to look at the body, take it to the police bureau and have an autopsy performed. Eunuch Nam won’t hear of it and refuses to move out of San’s way, as this will tip their hand to their enemies and give them ammo—they’ll be able to say San is mad. San looks like he’s going to kick the guy, but eventually gives in and thanks Nam for his loyalty. Nam then sees and retrieves Eunuch Han’s belongings.
Song lies moldering in the shed, awaiting her fate. The guy who took her in, and who also takes advantage of her painting skills to get his own work done, begs for mercy on her behalf, but is told no dice. He spies on the inspection, where two portions of paint seem to have been found missing, then goes to Song’s shed and tries to help her escape (as she might die from the beating she’s sure to receive), but she argues. They hear someone looking for her and chicken man hides and lets her take the blame for the escape attempt--she will be beaten now, she is told.
San and Nam discover a secret coded message in Han’s belongings. It’s actually a riddle, which San cracks, a black poem painted on white fabric. They think it has something to do with the Chinese (“Qing”) envoys, but what?
Dae-su wants to leave the street gang to take the military exam. The gang leader tries to tempt him with money to do a “special job.” Dae-su takes the cash, then hears from Uncle that Song is being framed and kicked out of Dowahseo.
At that august place, Song’s persecutor (Tak) says she was innocent, because nothing’s missing (he was "only" going to kick her out for painting at all). BUT, now that she tried to run away, she must have something to hide and will get 30 lashes. Her sponsor says that can kill someone so please don’t do it since she’s innocent, but the Dean is adamant and so is this petty functionary Tak. They are about to beat her when the Chief Dean (I’m guessing at these titles) comes in and says there’s no rule against Damo holding the brush, she didn’t take anything and to release her--she is forgiven. Later we learn that he had found her painting on his desk, realized this was what the fuss was about and that she’d responded to the prince’s topic. Her sponsor promises she’ll never paint again, but the Chief Dean asks how many damo are going into the palace.
Meanwhile, Song puts away the laundry as Cho-bi further tortures her with more work. Song’s sponsor runs in with the news that Song will be the attending damo to the Chief Dean going to the palace for the envoy summit.
Dae-su and Uncle have come to rescue Song, but she rushes out and tells them her good news. That night she packs , and the two young people discuss whether she’ll be able to see San, even from afar. They good-naturedly argue and laugh—clearly like brother and sister. Later, alone, Song smiles over San’s sash.
At the palace, food is prepared, musicians practice and there’s just a general to-do. As Dowahseo’s contingency passes by, Eunuch Nam argues that San should just dismiss everyone connected with the summit and get new people, but San says they’re experienced negotiators and the merchants are already suffering due to loss of Qing business, they’ll have to find another way. He proceeds to change around the entire schedule, including pushing a party up to day 1—thereby upsetting the ministers and officers, one of whom is Sir Choi (conspirator). I love saying that.
Later, Sir Choi and Princess Hwa-wan discuss these developments. Choi thinks San “knows something,” Princess remarks on San's cleverness. Choi wants to stop their plot for now, but Princess is made of sterner stuff. She thinks San knows nothing, and that’s why he’s taking such drastic action. On with the plan.
San is called before Yeong-jo who makes some compliments on San’s presenting difficulties to the ministers. Yeong-jo won’t interfere. However, he warns, if after creating all this fuss San doesn’t come through with the goods on Qing, they’ll make him suffer and pay.
Song has been sent for pigment, and she is dazzled by the palace’s art resources and starts looking at all the fine brushes and stuff. Cho-bi arrives to harangue her and let her know the party’s been moved up a day. The painters will have to work the party, so their preparations become more frantic. Song asks if they’ll be able to see the prince; another damo says maybe. Cho-bi makes Song prepare red paint…
San and the ministers go to greet the Qing envoy, and San exhibits a high degree of diplomatic ability—he’s read the envoy’s book and talks with him about it.
As she prepares for the party, Song is called over by Cho-bi, who tells her she prepared the wrong red paint (“dark” instead of “true”). They can’t use dark red for painting the party. She has to make more true red. As Song, very upset with herself, prepares more red paint, Cho-bi and her sidekick come in and it is revealed that they hid the paint Song had made. (Surprise.) Because Song “dared” to assist at the party.
It turns out no one will be able to get in once the party starts. They have all the paint(!); Cho-bi tells the Priss Tak that Song has a stomachache. Song runs out with the paint when she hears the party starting and a guard informs her the others had all the paint they needed, and that she cannot get into the hall regardless. She tries, but is stopped at the door.
At the party, everyone, including Yeong-jo and Sir Choi, can see that San is wowing the Qing ambassador. Outside, Song runs from door to door of the party hall, but there are too many guards. Sad Song-yeon, never to see her prince.
In the market, Dae-su buys expensive brushes for Song with Uncle’s help. Uncle advises Dae-su to save his money so he can marry her, but Dae-su knows she’d rather have the brushes than him. Dae-su’s gang come and get him; they go to the river that night planning to raid a state ship (several days earlier than planned). The ringleader assures Dae-su the guards will let them through, and voila, the guards are all led away. They raid the ship, and Dae-su tries to back out, but the boss tells him he has “backup” at court, and he’d better just shut up because now he’s in on it. He threatens Uncle and Song. Dae-su buckles.
San and Eunuch Nam are discussing the envoy situation; Nam thinks everything is fine, San not so sure. The little girl San met earlier stealing snacks is discovered by him hiding behind a tree. At the painters’ housing area, Song is working late. Cho-bi and sidekick come and tell her that Cho-bi saved her butt for “ruining” the paint, and then Cho-bi dumps all the brushes out and says she’d better clean them all before morning.
Song, dispirited and exhausted, carries the brushes through the courtyard. From another direction, San and the little girl, named Song-hee, come through the grounds talking. She is looking for a magic well. They discuss San’s long-lost friend, Song-yeon. They come to the well and while he waits for Song-hee to drink the “magic” water, San notices a dropped paintbrush. Song had been scrubbing paintbrushes there and now walks back to the painters’ area unaware.
Next day, the loss of the tribute (some kind of white cloth) is discovered. The ministers blame the fact that San changed around the plans and sent the tribute to “a more difficult port to guard.” Sir Choi points out that the envoy will want to see the white cloth that day, and that this cloth is very important to the Qing. He’ll be p-o’d. San realizes that this was the clue the dead Eunuch Han was trying to tell him with his message, painted on white cloth. San decides he’ll give another party to stall the inspection, because the envoy loves art, so he sends for the chief painter.
The chief can’t find a damo except for Song, because she’s been left to do the work on her own. He needs a damo quickly, so even though she’s not experienced in landscape but only portraits, he takes her and lectures her along the way about what she’ll need to do. He explains to her that although he doesn’t know the details, he’s been sent to paint a landscape at the Qing envoy’s banquet and he can’t afford for her to make even the smallest mistake. Song is happy to be visiting the palace, but is a little shocked when she hears her chief being announced to “his highness.” They are introduced to San, Song as the “attending damo,” and he peers at her but does not recognize her. He reiterates the importance of the meeting to the painter. The envoy arrives and he goes to meet the man. Because Song seems distracted, the chief painter tells her to leave if she can’t do it, but after some hesitation she assures him she will do it properly.
At the banquet, the painter is pleased with Song’s work and proceeds to paint a landscape (from memory of course). Everyone watches avidly. Song does get reprimanded to focus, as she is gazing at San, and she straightens up. After the painting is finished, it is presented to San, who presents it to the ambassador. He loves it and says, I heard there are five beauties of Chosun, the scenery, the paintings, the music, the food and the girls. Like that girl (gesturing at Song). One of the ministers offers her to the man. She appeals to her boss, who points out she is not a kisaeng and protests, even after being scolded by the ministers (“Kisaeng or damo—same thing!). The ambassador gets pissed and says he’s not a lecher, just forget it. The ministers say nonsense, don’t worry about a mere painter’s opinion, and have Song, in distress, dragged away. Suddenly San orders, Leave that girl alone!
San and Eunuch Nam run down to the river, and see the body of the man (Eunuch Han) who had discovered the guard who stole the pigment. San, very upset, wants to look at the body, take it to the police bureau and have an autopsy performed. Eunuch Nam won’t hear of it and refuses to move out of San’s way, as this will tip their hand to their enemies and give them ammo—they’ll be able to say San is mad. San looks like he’s going to kick the guy, but eventually gives in and thanks Nam for his loyalty. Nam then sees and retrieves Eunuch Han’s belongings.
Song lies moldering in the shed, awaiting her fate. The guy who took her in, and who also takes advantage of her painting skills to get his own work done, begs for mercy on her behalf, but is told no dice. He spies on the inspection, where two portions of paint seem to have been found missing, then goes to Song’s shed and tries to help her escape (as she might die from the beating she’s sure to receive), but she argues. They hear someone looking for her and chicken man hides and lets her take the blame for the escape attempt--she will be beaten now, she is told.
San and Nam discover a secret coded message in Han’s belongings. It’s actually a riddle, which San cracks, a black poem painted on white fabric. They think it has something to do with the Chinese (“Qing”) envoys, but what?
Dae-su wants to leave the street gang to take the military exam. The gang leader tries to tempt him with money to do a “special job.” Dae-su takes the cash, then hears from Uncle that Song is being framed and kicked out of Dowahseo.
At that august place, Song’s persecutor (Tak) says she was innocent, because nothing’s missing (he was "only" going to kick her out for painting at all). BUT, now that she tried to run away, she must have something to hide and will get 30 lashes. Her sponsor says that can kill someone so please don’t do it since she’s innocent, but the Dean is adamant and so is this petty functionary Tak. They are about to beat her when the Chief Dean (I’m guessing at these titles) comes in and says there’s no rule against Damo holding the brush, she didn’t take anything and to release her--she is forgiven. Later we learn that he had found her painting on his desk, realized this was what the fuss was about and that she’d responded to the prince’s topic. Her sponsor promises she’ll never paint again, but the Chief Dean asks how many damo are going into the palace.
Meanwhile, Song puts away the laundry as Cho-bi further tortures her with more work. Song’s sponsor runs in with the news that Song will be the attending damo to the Chief Dean going to the palace for the envoy summit.
Dae-su and Uncle have come to rescue Song, but she rushes out and tells them her good news. That night she packs , and the two young people discuss whether she’ll be able to see San, even from afar. They good-naturedly argue and laugh—clearly like brother and sister. Later, alone, Song smiles over San’s sash.
At the palace, food is prepared, musicians practice and there’s just a general to-do. As Dowahseo’s contingency passes by, Eunuch Nam argues that San should just dismiss everyone connected with the summit and get new people, but San says they’re experienced negotiators and the merchants are already suffering due to loss of Qing business, they’ll have to find another way. He proceeds to change around the entire schedule, including pushing a party up to day 1—thereby upsetting the ministers and officers, one of whom is Sir Choi (conspirator). I love saying that.
Later, Sir Choi and Princess Hwa-wan discuss these developments. Choi thinks San “knows something,” Princess remarks on San's cleverness. Choi wants to stop their plot for now, but Princess is made of sterner stuff. She thinks San knows nothing, and that’s why he’s taking such drastic action. On with the plan.
San is called before Yeong-jo who makes some compliments on San’s presenting difficulties to the ministers. Yeong-jo won’t interfere. However, he warns, if after creating all this fuss San doesn’t come through with the goods on Qing, they’ll make him suffer and pay.
Song has been sent for pigment, and she is dazzled by the palace’s art resources and starts looking at all the fine brushes and stuff. Cho-bi arrives to harangue her and let her know the party’s been moved up a day. The painters will have to work the party, so their preparations become more frantic. Song asks if they’ll be able to see the prince; another damo says maybe. Cho-bi makes Song prepare red paint…
San and the ministers go to greet the Qing envoy, and San exhibits a high degree of diplomatic ability—he’s read the envoy’s book and talks with him about it.
As she prepares for the party, Song is called over by Cho-bi, who tells her she prepared the wrong red paint (“dark” instead of “true”). They can’t use dark red for painting the party. She has to make more true red. As Song, very upset with herself, prepares more red paint, Cho-bi and her sidekick come in and it is revealed that they hid the paint Song had made. (Surprise.) Because Song “dared” to assist at the party.
It turns out no one will be able to get in once the party starts. They have all the paint(!); Cho-bi tells the Priss Tak that Song has a stomachache. Song runs out with the paint when she hears the party starting and a guard informs her the others had all the paint they needed, and that she cannot get into the hall regardless. She tries, but is stopped at the door.
At the party, everyone, including Yeong-jo and Sir Choi, can see that San is wowing the Qing ambassador. Outside, Song runs from door to door of the party hall, but there are too many guards. Sad Song-yeon, never to see her prince.
In the market, Dae-su buys expensive brushes for Song with Uncle’s help. Uncle advises Dae-su to save his money so he can marry her, but Dae-su knows she’d rather have the brushes than him. Dae-su’s gang come and get him; they go to the river that night planning to raid a state ship (several days earlier than planned). The ringleader assures Dae-su the guards will let them through, and voila, the guards are all led away. They raid the ship, and Dae-su tries to back out, but the boss tells him he has “backup” at court, and he’d better just shut up because now he’s in on it. He threatens Uncle and Song. Dae-su buckles.
San and Eunuch Nam are discussing the envoy situation; Nam thinks everything is fine, San not so sure. The little girl San met earlier stealing snacks is discovered by him hiding behind a tree. At the painters’ housing area, Song is working late. Cho-bi and sidekick come and tell her that Cho-bi saved her butt for “ruining” the paint, and then Cho-bi dumps all the brushes out and says she’d better clean them all before morning.
Song, dispirited and exhausted, carries the brushes through the courtyard. From another direction, San and the little girl, named Song-hee, come through the grounds talking. She is looking for a magic well. They discuss San’s long-lost friend, Song-yeon. They come to the well and while he waits for Song-hee to drink the “magic” water, San notices a dropped paintbrush. Song had been scrubbing paintbrushes there and now walks back to the painters’ area unaware.
Next day, the loss of the tribute (some kind of white cloth) is discovered. The ministers blame the fact that San changed around the plans and sent the tribute to “a more difficult port to guard.” Sir Choi points out that the envoy will want to see the white cloth that day, and that this cloth is very important to the Qing. He’ll be p-o’d. San realizes that this was the clue the dead Eunuch Han was trying to tell him with his message, painted on white cloth. San decides he’ll give another party to stall the inspection, because the envoy loves art, so he sends for the chief painter.
The chief can’t find a damo except for Song, because she’s been left to do the work on her own. He needs a damo quickly, so even though she’s not experienced in landscape but only portraits, he takes her and lectures her along the way about what she’ll need to do. He explains to her that although he doesn’t know the details, he’s been sent to paint a landscape at the Qing envoy’s banquet and he can’t afford for her to make even the smallest mistake. Song is happy to be visiting the palace, but is a little shocked when she hears her chief being announced to “his highness.” They are introduced to San, Song as the “attending damo,” and he peers at her but does not recognize her. He reiterates the importance of the meeting to the painter. The envoy arrives and he goes to meet the man. Because Song seems distracted, the chief painter tells her to leave if she can’t do it, but after some hesitation she assures him she will do it properly.
At the banquet, the painter is pleased with Song’s work and proceeds to paint a landscape (from memory of course). Everyone watches avidly. Song does get reprimanded to focus, as she is gazing at San, and she straightens up. After the painting is finished, it is presented to San, who presents it to the ambassador. He loves it and says, I heard there are five beauties of Chosun, the scenery, the paintings, the music, the food and the girls. Like that girl (gesturing at Song). One of the ministers offers her to the man. She appeals to her boss, who points out she is not a kisaeng and protests, even after being scolded by the ministers (“Kisaeng or damo—same thing!). The ambassador gets pissed and says he’s not a lecher, just forget it. The ministers say nonsense, don’t worry about a mere painter’s opinion, and have Song, in distress, dragged away. Suddenly San orders, Leave that girl alone!