Season 1

2017 · 28 episodes

Just when her life seems to be falling apart, a Korean art historian discovers an old text detailing the life of Joseon era's renowned female artist.

1Episode 1With a full-time professorship in sight, Seo Ji-yoon, a lecturer in Korean art history, gets swept up in a scandal surrounding a monumental painting.
2Episode 2Ji-yoon shows what she brought back from Bologna to her friend Hye-jeong, a conservation scientist, who tells her that restoration will take a while.
3Episode 3Lee Gyeom visits Saimdang's parents to seek permission for marriage. King Jungjong sets out to see for himself the woman who won Gyeom's heart.
4Episode 4Back at the temple, Saimdang witnesses a scene she shouldn't have seen. On the run, she gets hurt, and her belongings land in the hands of another.
5Episode 5After sending back the presents from Gyeom, Saimdang sets out for her new home in Hanyang, but an unpleasant surprise awaits her.
6Episode 6The truth behind Saimdang's words hurts Lord Uiseong. However, inspired by watching Saimdang and her children interact, he picks up his brush again.
7Episode 7In Hanyang, paths cross for Saimdang, Lord Uiseong, Min Chi-hyeong and Hwieumdang. In the present, Professor Min's underlings are on Ji-yoon's tail.
8Episode 8Hwieumdang scolds Hyeon-ryong for being on the school grounds again. Lord Uiseong hears about Hyeon-ryong's situation and the Mothers Association.
9Episode 9To support her family, Saimdang decides to make paper, but it's easier said than done. Hwieumdang suggests a mother-son illustrated poetry contest.
10Episode 10Saimdang gets worried when Hyeon-ryong doesn't come home late into the night. Lord Uiseong tries to find out what happened at Temple Unpyeong.
11Episode 11Risking retaliation from the vagabonds, Saimdang goes back to her paper workshop. Later, she tells the head of the group why she decided to come back.
12Episode 12Lord Uiseong's Great Aunt warns him not to dig up the past lest he endanger his and Saimdang's lives. Saimdang needs a sample of true Goryeo paper.
13Episode 13Hwieumdang calls for an emergency meeting that Saimdang must attend. Meanwhile, Lord Uiseong suggests a hunting outing for the king and the council.
14Episode 14The king declares a contest to find the best papermaker in Joseon. Lord Uiseong gets authority to investigate the corruption behind the Goryeo paper.
15Episode 15Soon after they arrive at the site of Temple Unpyeong, Saimdang and Pal-bong are pursued by Hwieumdang's men.
16Episode 16King Jungjong decides on the proper punishment for Min Chi-hyeong. Meanwhile, the deadline to find the true Goryeo paper is fast approaching.
17Episode 17For King Jungjong, nothing else matters except finding the real Goryeo paper. Saimdang presses on to decipher the poem from the painting.
18Episode 18Ji-yoon tries to get Director Sun's help in ensuring the safety of "Mount Kumgang," but Director Sun wants to avoid getting more bad publicity.
19Episode 19In the present, Ji-yoon gets an alarming call about her husband. In the past, Lord Uiseong hears of the Yangryu Paper Mill from the villagers he helps.
20Episode 20Saimdang is becoming a prominent figure in the city for her wisdom, benevolence and artistic skills, but trouble brews at home.
21Episode 21The princess is reported missing. King Jungjong is furious that the crown prince is spending time outside the palace walls with Lord Uiseong.
22Episode 22The crown prince commissions Lord Uiseong to paint King Jungjong's portrait. Lord Uiseong wishes to recruit new painters for the important project.
23Episode 23The Confucian scholars protest against Saimdang, and the king plots to use this to his advantage. Min Chi-hyeong is hell-bent on reclaiming his power.
24Episode 24Lord Uiseong is shocked to learn what King Jungjong ordered Min Chi-hyeong to do. Meanwhile, Hwieumdang has a tearful request for Saimdang.
25Episode 25While visiting a museum to collect her thoughts, Ji-yoon discovers a note card with a curious portrait that's left behind by a mysterious man.
26Episode 26With the help of Rade, Ji-yoon and her friends are devising a plan to secure "Mount Kumgang" again when a surprise visitor drops by their hideout.
27Episode 27Despairing Saimdang asks Ji-yoon what happened to Lord Uiseong. Piecing the clues together, Ji-yoon provides Saimdang with a way to save Lord Uiseong.
28Episode 28Director Sun publicly reveals her intentions regarding "Mount Kumgang." Saimdang spends her time with those who matter to her the most.

Episodes