01x01 - Innkeeper Dan O

[bunniefuu]

(Shin Ye Eun)

(Kang Hoon)

(Jung g*n Joo)

(Ryeo Un)

(The Secret Romantic Guesthouse)

(All people, organizations, locations, and incidents...)

(in this drama are fictitious.)

Go!

Lee Seol, the deposed heir, has escaped!

(Deposed heir: Crown Prince's eldest son that was deposed)

Do not just stand there! We must execute him before dawn.

That will conclude our great mission!

- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!

Giddy-up!

Giddy-up!

(In mourning)

Who are you?

Are you asking for my name?

Of course.

You sneaked into a house of mourning.

You are the first person...

to ask for my name.

You do not want to tell me, do you?

Were you hurt?

Can you come out?

Bok Sil.

Take your time.

There is a lot more.

Did a little boy on the run come here to hide?

I did not see him.

Do not come closer.

Our dog Bok Sil is fierce,

and she even bites people when she is eating.

It is true.

It is not my fault if you get bitten.

They left.

Why did you save me?

You do not even know my name.

You are...

the first visitor.

I am glad...

at least one person came by.

To see my father.

Did you...

lose someone too?

Yes.

Your father?

Or your mother?

Both.

I have no one now.

If we meet again,

I will tell you then.

Tell me what?

My name.

(13 years later)

Five nyang.

(Episode 1)

It is a nice and cool day.

- Did you hear that story? - About what?

About the haunted inn.

A haunted inn?

A handsome young nobleman from the Yeongnam area...

stayed there and got possessed.

Before he could take the state exam...

He died?

The lonely girl ghost...

took him as her companion to the afterlife.

Darn you.

Welcome.

Five nyang.

Five nyang.

Where are you headed?

You could reach the afterlife before you reach the exam hall.

This is Namtaeryeong Pass, famous for its tigers.

Go alone...

and you will never make it.

Five nyang, please.

This is daylight robbery.

They charge us five nyang just to cross a pass?

Are you going to Jungcheon?

You and I should both be careful.

The ghosts tend to prefer handsome young men.

- What was that? - My gosh.

We are district guards!

Make way, or we will fire!

(District guards: Served the local governor)

He is the tiger I told you about.

If you hand over all your belongings,

I will let you pass.

Just hand it over.

We got one!

We will lose everything.

- Oh, dear! - My gosh.

Get me down.

Get him! Do something!

- Get him! - You get him!

Hey!

Boss!

You. Get lost.

Bong Sik!

Hurry.

- Get up. - Move it!

Come along.

Darn it!

Oh, gosh.

If only I had not walked into the trap...

Hand it out.

- Wait. - Thank you.

Thank you.

Gather round.

Hello, welcome.

Come to Garden of Flowers if you wish to pass the state exam.

Calling all young men to Garden of Flowers.

Oh, hello, young noblemen.

Garden of Flowers guarantees a pass.

Come and stay at Garden of Flowers.

- "Garden of Flowers?" - Yes.

(Five scholars in a row passed)

Five successful scholars in a row is huge.

You and your lies.

Have you not heard the story?

The haunted house at the edge of Jungcheon.

Oh, this house?

Yes!

We must compete fair and square. Fair play!

We are all on our own.

Fair play, my foot.

Do not get the wrong idea.

All patrons who stays at Garden of Flowers passes the state exam.

We only host a select few, whom we provide with room and board.

Everything is customized to your needs.

It sounds like a waste of time and energy.

Goodness.

Wait!

My lady.

Why would you struggle like this?

Marry me, and you will live a comfortable life.

What is this barking dog saying?

How much would you like? Tell me.

How much would be enough...

for you to take me as your husband?

My goodness.

My lady.

My lady.

- Oh, my. Welcome. - Good to see you.

Make way. Coming through!

- Come this way. - Come and have a look!

- Oh, hold on. - You are here.

- What is it? - Come and have a look!

Young Master.

It is almost high noon.

Are you not going home?

You look so pretty even in the morning.

You look like a beautiful peony.

Oh, please.

I shall see you again soon.

Pay for your drinks before you leave.

Oh, my apologies.

I left home in such a rush.

Put it on my tab, please.

Settle up if you wish to go home in one piece.

Cut me some slack, will you?

Hey, you.

Hey.

Must you be so difficult?

My lady, how many times must I ask you out...

Stop trying.

I will never fall for you, no matter how hard you try.

I did not want to lay a finger on you...

before we got married.

I cannot stand...

your obnoxious nonsense.

You will not even look at me,

so I have no choice.

My gosh!

Hold my hand while you still can.

You will not find a better man.

Are you out of your mind?

I do hear that from time to time.

However, I am not crazy.

You little...

Look at you.

You dodged my punch?

You rat!

Hey.

You are dead meat.

- No! - My gosh!

- Sir! - Sir!

I thought he was a beast. I nearly beat him to a pulp.

I understand.

Do you not think they look like three pig brothers?

Fine. Let us put an end to this once and for all.

We will show you how vicious pigs can be.

Fine. Let us settle this matter once and for all.

Go!

- Come on. - Hey!

- Get them! Go! - Hey!

- Get them! - Those rats!

- Catch them! - Hey!

Hey, stop right there! Get them!

- Catch them! - Hey!

- Hey, move! - Come on, hurry!

Do not look at me like that.

I am fine. This was all...

part of my strategy to save you.

Does your strategy include how I saved you too?

I expected that too.

Do you not have to see a physician?

I did not even feel the punch.

The throbbing will go away in no time.

Are you hurt?

No, I am okay.

Oh, I suppose someone reported them.

You should have come sooner.

They are gone. They all went that way.

You drank at the kisaeng house, did you not?

Yes, I did.

No!

He did not do anything. He saved me.

Someone reported him for dining and dashing.

What?

I am fine! There must have been some misunderstanding.

Get home safely, my lady. Get going!

Hello.

Hello. You can sit over here.

Big fish spotted.

He could have held me.

Preparing for the military exam?

Are you a leech?

Have you decided where to stay?

Excuse me. I would like a bowl of gukbap.

Sure.

If you have not decided yet...

A bowl of rice wine too.

Sure.

Let me take you to my house.

Tonight.

You have no shame.

Are all women in Hanyang like this?

You seem like a man of noble birth.

If you stayed at this shabby tavern,

would you not be uncomfortable?

Wait, where are you going?

Are you going to the outhouse?

Come on in.

"When a crow caws on the pine tree at the Jongmyo Shrine..."

"and when the rain brings black clouds..."

(When the rain brings black clouds)

"A new dynasty begins."

(A new dynasty begins.)

You are back.

Oh.

Yu Ha.

Our eyes met earlier, did they not?

Yu Ha, could you not read what my eyes were telling you?

What were your eyes trying to tell me, Dan O?

"Do not bother a dog when he is eating..."

"or a scholar when he is reading."

With my eyes full of conviction.

What? A dog?

No. My point was, "a scholar who is reading."

Anyway, what were you reading?

"The Analects."

Where did you have to go so early in the morning?

I was feeling a little cooped up,

so I went out for a walk.

A walk?

Dan O.

You see, I do not want you to struggle...

- Yu Ha. - Yes?

You see,

I am truly curious what that book is about,

but I never ask you stuff like that.

So let us respect each other's boundaries.

All right.

I understand everything.

I mean, you are an adult too.

Hold on. What do you understand?

Well...

Men's...

curiosity?

Hey.

Dan O, let me explain before you go.

Dan O!

Excuse me. Did you see my bag? It was over there.

Oh, what happened was...

(Garden of Flowers)

There is an inn called Garden of Flowers.

The owner took your bag, saying you should stay at her inn.

Hello?

Is no one here?

It was you. You are the thief.

What...

Are women in Hanyang always this forward?

Sorry?

Taking my belongings will not bind me as your mate.

That only happens in folk tales.

Your mate? As in what kind?

Classmate? Teammate?

Cut the jokes...

and hand over my bag.

Hold on.

So you are the fairy in this tale...

while I am the woodcutter who stole your clothes?

Must I have the owner hand over my belongings?

Gosh.

Well,

there seems to be a misunderstanding.

- I am... - My lady!

My goodness. My lady!

I said I would get to that, but you lost your patience.

It is all fixed now. It will not leak.

My goodness. Goodness me.

Thank goodness.

We have not had a patron in so long.

My goodness.

- What are you... - Stop.

No?

Goodness.

"We are an inn that welcomes those..."

"who are studying for the state exam."

"This is Garden of Flowers."

(Bohaeng gaekju: an inn for common wayfarers)

"All patrons pass the state exam, but we only host a few,"

"whom we provide with room and board."

I was only looking for someone to accommodate,

but you made me out to be a thief.

It does not change the fact that you stole my bag.

I did not run off with it. I was only keeping it safe.

Had it not been for me, it would have been lost.

How shameless of you.

Be grateful for not being arrested.

(Garden of Flowers)

- It is one nyang a night. - What?

The night has already deepened, so stay the night.

Who could sleep among a bunch of thieves?

You will not find a vacant room anywhere else.

The curfew bell will ring soon.

(Ingyeong: the bell that was rung...)

(to announce the beginning and end of curfew)

You should come in.

It is 1 nyang and 5 jeon a night.

You just said it was one nyang.

But then the curfew bell rang.

You have nowhere to go,

and this is the only place you can stay the night.

You know how to do business.

I hear that often.

Shall we?

Darn it.

My lady!

We meet again.

Hold on. You are...

I suffered bruises everywhere while trying to help the lady.

It seems as though I am in need of recuperation.

I was worried about you.

The curfew is in effect, and we cannot go to a clinic.

Goodness. That is not necessary.

A good night's sleep is all the remedy I need.

It is why I ask...

that you accommodate me for a few days.

I do not have any money on me,

but I will pay for the room when I can.

Young master,

the distinguished Garden of Flowers...

has a long-time tradition.

And what would that be?

We...

do not let anyone run a tab.

Did something happen during the day?

It was not a big deal.

It was big.

I am hurt to hear you do not agree.

I was also hurt by your suggestion.

How could you ask to run a tab just because you are injured?

But look.

My cheek is still swollen.

It will only be for the night.

If you do not have the money, at least do some chores.

By the way, I have a request to make.

You are free to roam the grounds,

but do not enter the annex.

That is the one and only rule.

Do you have something hidden there?

Red ginseng? Wild ginseng? If not...

Young master,

would you rather sleep on the street?

I will not look for any wild ginseng here.

You can have it all.

Promise me that as well.

I hear you.

Goodness.

Oh, my. Look at those broad shoulders.

It must be because you are a swordsman.

I am Yuk Yuk h*, the guest in the adjacent room.

As a senior scholar,

I figured I should share some knowledge.

As you can see, I am a swordsman.

Also, I will only be staying the night.

Breakfast is at 8am, lunch is at noon,

dinner is at 6pm, and curfew is at 10pm.

The owner prefers peace and quiet,

the main building is in the back, and the annex is off-limits.

But most importantly,

it is 3 nyang a month and you must pay 3 months' worth in advance.

Does the state exam test you on that?

You have it perfectly memorized.

You should know that...

I would have the highest score if memorization were a subject.

But whenever I take the exam, my stomach rumbles...

Hold on.

You said it was three nyang a month.

It is cheap compared to other inns in Jungcheon.

It is 1 nyang and 5 jeon a night.

You had me pay 15 days' worth?

That hustler.

Who are you calling a hustler?

What...

Do you like your room?

I bet you do...

seeing how it is way larger than mine.

It is a good thing you came over here.

I have some knowledge I would like to share.

You are him.

- Him? - The living legend...

who has been taking the state exam for decades.

Decades? A legend?

I thought you were a myth, but you actually exist.

I am utterly amazed.

(Garden of Flowers)

Please enjoy.

Let us eat.

By the way,

I heard that many of your guests successfully passed the exam.

Is it true?

I saw the huge poster out front.

One did pass the exam.

And who would that be?

My father.

Of course.

Just like you, your father was also marvelous.

Who else?

Well...

There are not enough side dishes.

We have enough soup though, so if you want more...

Forget about the soup. Which other guest passed the exam?

There is no need to address me that formally.

Please speak casually.

You all seem to be around Yu Ha's age,

so I will address you by your names as well.

Our names?

I do not mean to be rude or anything.

Since we are housemates, we should comfortably...

You suddenly being friendly only makes it suspicious.

Let me serve you some more soup.

Sure.

Can I share a secret with you?

There is none. Her father was the only one.

You were all fooled by Dan O.

When Dan O's father was still alive,

scholars came by often.

I was one of them.

That was before she opened the inn.

How did she come to running an inn?

It is surprising...

to see a noblewoman run an inn.

She needed to put food on the table,

and the house was all that her father left her.

Young master, are you in your room?

Why does he not use a real sword?

Can you train properly with a wooden sword?

I was...

This...

You should just say so.

What?

If you wanted my sword that badly.

What if I did?

Would you let me have it?

I would hide it.

Do not worry. I am not here because I want it.

You are not a thief?

No.

- What makes you think... - Then are you a hustler?

What?

I heard how much you charge per room.

How can two weeks become one night?

You are welcome to stay for two weeks.

Then you will see the true merit of Garden of Flowers.

What?

Get out. I dislike it greatly when my space is intruded upon.

I apologize.

I have a lot to do here.

Including cleaning.

You have a terrible eye.

I doubt you are a good cleaner.

Oh, dear. I see you have not heard.

This is my specialty.

Shall I show you...

how snapping good I am?

- What? - At cleaning.

Shall I wipe that down for you?

Do you always want to have the last word?

I do tend to win.

Are you not pleased?

We got lucky last night.

We got lucky?

Young master Kang San.

He looks so noble and rich.

I bet he will pay rent on time.

He does not look noble or rich. He just looks ordinary.

He is handsome enough.

Women would talk about him to no end.

Ms. Naju, you lost your sense of taste...

and now your taste in men.

I have to deliver two packs of eggs to Buyounggak.

They got even more lodgers.

I guess the other inns are full to the brim.

Slowly and gently.

Be careful.

Your Highness, be careful.

Be careful.

You are not showing signs of labor.

Did you not hear what the monk said?

I must give birth within the month if it is to be a son.

But we cannot take the baby out of you by force.

I must and will...

give birth to a son.

His Majesty wishes for an heir,

and I cannot disappoint him.

Do not worry.

Your child will be a son.

I must be prepared.

Just in case.

I understand.

A child will be born soon.

Will I have an heir?

No.

Is there no way?

I do not see a son...

in your future.

How dare you?

- Watch your manners. - Leave it.

We shall leave.

There is something more important.

Your being.

It is in great danger.

What?

Do not look for...

the person you have in mind.

The one who makes you tremble in your dreams.

He will swallow you up.

Your geomungo sang so sadly,

I almost burst into tears.

Your Majesty.

You blessed my ears with music from paradise.

How about I bless you in another way?

Your Majesty, First Vice-premier Sin Won h* requests an audience.

I had just cheered myself up.

(Lee Chang)

Is there still no news on the deposed heir Lee Seol?

I apologize, Your Majesty.

You have aged also.

You still cannot find that young punk?

I apologize for being dull and short-witted.

I beseech you to scold me severely.

Three months ago, on the death anniversary...

of deposed heir Lee Pyeong, a young man visited his grave.

I thought it was Lee Seol and hastily gave chase.

I lost him in Jungcheon.

Lee Seol is in Hanyang?

Yes.

Nobles from all over are flocking...

to Hanyang for the state exam.

He took that as an opportunity.

(Sin Won h*, First Vice-premier)

Lee Seol.

Are you looking for him?

We are searching all the inns,

taverns, and kisaeng houses in Jungcheon.

There cannot be another mistake.

If you lose him again like before...

That will not happen.

I will hope so.

You must have learned a lesson that day.

(Capital District Office)

My lord.

It is Jong Soo.

Come in.

He is here.

You made the long trip, Chief Eunuch.

"Chief Eunuch?"

I left the palace over ten years ago.

You may address me casually.

(Buyounggak)

Welcome, my lord.

The list?

It is ready.

Here, I recorded detailed information...

about the scholars staying at Buyounggak.

What about him?

No.

From his eyes to his lips,

he looks nothing like him.

Yes, there must be a reason why we were told not to go in there.

Sir, I just saw...

I told you not to go anywhere near the annex!

Return to your room at once!

Come on, sir.

If you wish to know the future,

you should visit a shaman instead of coming to a bookstore.

Is it truly not here?

- No. - It is not here.

It would not be called a prophetic book if it were easy to obtain.

(Chamwiseo: A book of shamanic prophecies)

- Do you know about the book? - Of course, I do.

What are you curious about?

The future of Joseon? Or...

your own future?

A man living on Joseon's soil cannot be unaffected...

by Joseon's future.

Your sword appears to be a little too shabby for your big aspirations.

- Come again? - Can you pass the military exam...

with that sword?

I am trying to find a way to win without slashing anyone.

Winning without slashing anyone?

Is there a way? No. Is there such a world?

No, there is not.

Hence,

I wish to live in such a world.

Anyway, why are you looking for the prophetic book?

I heard the commoners suffering under the tyranny...

were finding solace in such vulgar books.

If you truly wish to read it, I can get it for you.

Would you do that for me?

Please let me go! My baby is in there!

A baby in a kisaeng house? Nonsense!

They said they would let me in.

Please allow me to breastfeed my child.

I know nothing about it. Get lost at once.

Come on.

(Buyounggak)

Get up.

What are you doing here?

Young Master.

Do you know her?

She was my family's servant. I emancipated her from her status.

Anyway, what is the matter?

My husband racked up gambling debts at Buyounggak.

And he took my newborn baby.

He took the baby? What for?

Young Master.

Please help me.

I suppose it is my lucky day.

I am sorry.

I shall deduct this amount from your rent.

I did not expect you to be like this.

Why? Are you moving out?

No, I just meant...

You look even more beautiful from this angle.

Oh!

You lads. It is you.

What are you two doing here?

The truth is, we...

We are here to play tujeon. Why else would we come to Buyounggak?

I thought all the lights were gone. But look, there they are.

They are brightening up the whole room!

I like the one on the right.

I want to be knocked down...

by his sharp nose.

I like the one in the middle.

I wish to dive into his beautiful eyes.

Nice to meet you.

My name is Mae Wol.

We do not need another player.

We are sorry.

It would be more fun if we all played together.

We do not have time for this. We must find the child first.

Do you want everyone to find out? Be quiet.

Hey, Kang San. It is your turn.

You are talking even more casually now.

We are all friends while playing tujeon.

I will sneak out first.

Stay here for now.

I will come with you.

Hold on.

You two.

What are you cooking up?

What do you mean?

- We are not cooking up anything. - Come on.

If you do not tell us the truth,

you cannot leave this room.

Someone brought a baby here to pay his debt.

Are you inside?

Look after the child for just a few days.

Thanks for your help.

What?

- What is going on? - Who are you? What is this about?

(Garden of Flowers)

It looks like you need a new sign!

What are you doing here?

I...

I came here as a guest but got lost.

Guests are not allowed to come in here.

Please leave.

I apologize.

What?

My gosh.

Gosh.

The baby is gone.

Do you not know how much the baby's worth?

Lose it, and you are dead.

Darn.

Identify yourself.

Seriously?

What a dimwit.

Give up the baby if you do not want to die.

Are you all right? Are you hurt?

Let us leave, then.

Darn, what did I come here for?

It was just a waste of my energy.

(Buyounggak)

Has Dan O not come out yet?

Neither has San.

Give it a moment.

What if you miss each other?

Yu Ha.

You found the baby. Let us go.

Come on.

Halt.

Thank you so much.

How could I ever repay you?

Get to safety for a few days...

since we had to take the baby by force.

Thank you, Young Master Jung.

He is a handsome one.

He might leave many heartbroken women in his wake.

Like me.

Never did I expect such an event.

We rescued a baby.

You barely did anything to help in the rescue.

He is right. It was me who paid for the horses.

You only held the reins.

San may be critical, but you as well?

You seem gentle and cheerful, but your words sting.

Your role was not grand, but it was much needed.

San, how about you?

Were you injured?

I am not one to get roughed up by others...

unlike someone I know.

He is right.

He would probably do the roughing up.

I see you have a way of twisting one's words.

Swing and rotate your arms for us. You never know.

I already said I was fine.

Do not be late to pay for your stay.

Should the inn owner...

have to follow you to the tujeon den that is crawling with men?

The other men are the issue for you.

How long has it been?

What are you talking about?

Dan O.

How long have you fancied her?

What...

But...

Why are you doing this to me?

My gosh. My goodness.

Okay, let us go. Hey!

It does not seem like anyone suspicious was here.

Let us go.

Please.

My gosh.

Goodness.

What is the meaning of this?

My lady.

Finally, you are back.

I asked what the meaning of this was.

Why else would loan sharks be here?

To collect the debt, of course.

What?

A debt cannot suddenly appear out of nowhere.

It appeared from the afterlife.

Your father took out a loan before his passing.

A hundred nyang to be exact.

Oh, dear.

To pay back that huge debt,

you will have to sell the inn.

I think we are done here.

Is the annex that way?

Do not go there.

Note that I warned you.

If a vindictive spirit haunts you, that will be on you!

It is not your average vindictive spirit though.

Rumor has it that it only takes the souls of men.

Is this the inn...

that is rumored to have a spirit haunting it?

A spirit, my foot.

As if I would believe such nonsense.

You cannot be at the annex.

Let me be the judge for you.

I will see if one can step foot in it.

- Move. - How dare you...

lay your hand on her?

She said it was off-limits. Now, get lost.

That is enough.

You will only regret what is to come.

And who may you be?

I have not seen you around here.

Will you be able to recognize the boy?

I saw him grow up since he was a baby.

How could I possibly forget his face?

Leave for the night.

One should not cause a ruckus this late.

Not minding your own business...

is how you will get a scar on those pretty faces.

Then,

go ahead.

Garden of Flowers is the last inn on the list.

Then,

deposed grand heir Lee Seol might be there.

Have you ever seen Lee Seol yourself?

Just once.

And what happened that day...

is why I live today.

(The Secret Romantic Guesthouse)

It is the promissory note your father wrote.

I will protect Garden of Flowers no matter what.

You will have it taken from you...

unless you can offer something far more valuable.

Do not cry.

I told you not to cry.

My lady, please take me in.

Yu Ha, you are the sweetest.

Lee Seol is giving me a warning.

He will soon be coming for the throne.

I do not keep those useless by my side.

I will immediately inform you...

of anyone suspicious.

The eunuch is searching for a traitor?