Dae Wang Sejong (2008): Season 1, Episode 82 - Episode #1.82 - full transcript
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
The King's carriage collapsed?
You'll be even more shocked
when I tell you who is responsible.
Why did you destroy the King's carriage?
How else am I to expel my rage for the King
who has forsaken me?
Arrest Deputy Commander
Jang Youngsil at once.
I will personally decide his punishment.
Put him on trial?
Why are you trying our prisoner
who is to be taken to Ming?
Jang Youngsil has committed
a crime equal to high treason.
How would your government
deal with such a criminal?
Branding?
A crime against the King is
a crime against the country.
He must be branded a traitor and
sentenced to a lifetime of forced labor.
Forced labor!
The King will attempt to send
Jang Youngsil to forced labor.
You mean send him to
a labor camp for life?
That's the only way to keep Jang
and his valuable talent in Joseon.
Father, you can't do this!
You can't do this to him.
How can I put a shackle on a man
who has my daughter's heart?
I'll just have to give
him something better.
What are you going to do?
Don't!
Don't do this!
No, Father!
No!
The King set this up.
It's a ploy to keep Jang Youngsil
from being taken to Ming.
Isn't it?
It's a waste of energy trying to second
guess the King at a time like this.
Don't you know that?
Wang Zhen will see right through this.
Of course he will.
What were you doing?
What's this?
Jang Youngsil?
I made a drawing of him just
in case he tries to escape.
Good.
You wish to observe Jang Youngsil's trial?
It's Venerable Wang's order.
His Majesty won't mind.
This is a political charade!
A show to avoid having to send Jang
Youngsil to Ming and divert attention
away from the writing system development!
His Majesty won't be able to get
through this predicament unless
he can erase all suspicion from
the Ming envoy and the government.
That will depend on how far he is
willing to go with Jang Youngsil.
King's degree of cruelty
that will be the key.
I will not enforce branding.
But Your Majesty...
Branding as punishment has
been outlawed by national law.
He will not be sentenced
to forced labor either.
No forced labor?
He's being
much to lenient, don't you think?
Treasonous heart deserves
a much harsher punishment.
Then...
I am hereby sentencing Jang Youngsil
to one hundred lashes harshest flogging
punishment allowed by the law.
Father!
Guards, what are you waiting for?
One hundred lashes could kill him!
Tie him to the flogging rack!
Flogging?
That's absurd!
Oh, dear...
One hundred lashes?
It will crush his bones and rip his skin.
I've never heard of anyone surviving
after one hundred lashes.
Killing his own man in tears...
That's quite a move the King is making.
Should I call Choi Manli?
He's the one that can give you
what you need to one-up that move.
You're a good judge of character.
There's only one thing that
can change where this is going.
The writing system development?
We have to turn over the evidence to Ming.
Where is Jeong Inji?
Are you going to the tribunal?
Where else should I be going?
That is not where you should be going.
What do you mean by that?
What are you doing?
What have you done?
I got rid of a piece of paper we don't need.
What?
Was it the King?
Did you fall for him again?
How did he coax this time?
Jang Youngsil's entry to government
office was a meaningful event for us.
Don't change the subject.
"A slave cannot be one of us."
"A peasant cannot hold rank above
nobles no matter how talented he is."
What's your point?
It wasn't easy, but we overcame
that false consciousness.
Jeong Inji!
There were times when we were
unafraid of such revolution.
So what are you saying?
Are you going to join the King's revolution?
Are you going to be the vanguard
of his writing system development?
I haven't decided anything.
All I know is that what's worse than
false consciousness is stagnation
treading water in silence and
indecision out of fear of change.
If you turn against me now to support
the King's high and mighty revolution,
you and I will become
irreconcilable enemies.
I'm afraid of myself more than
I am of anyone or anything else.
And I think I should be
as the Hall of Worthies leader.
This is the last lesson that
my one-time superior and
long-time respected colleague
Jang Youngsil has taught me.
Forth-nine!
Fifty!
Fifty-one!
Fifty-two!
Fifty-three!
Fifty-four!
Fifty-five!
Fifty-six!
Fifty-seven!
Fifty-eight!
Fifty-nine!
Sixty!
Sixty-one!
Continue.
Is there no other way?
Restrain yourself.
Please stop the flogging.
This could kill him, Father!
Prime Minister.
Continue the flogging!
This is insane!
My man!
Let go!
Let go of me!
Youngsil!
He's possessed by evil spirits!
Your Majesty, you of all
people can't do this to him!
Leave us!
Is this how you return his
thirty years of loyalty?
Continue the flogging!
You use him like a dog and now this?
Let go!
Let go of me!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
Youngsil!
Youngsil!
Youngsil, you poor kid!
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry!
It's my fault.
I should've never noticed you.
I should've never told you to use
your talent for that horrible man!
I should've never asked him to give
you a chance to develop your talent!
I should've had you
rip off that uniform!
Let go of me!
Let go!
Kill me!
Kill me instead!
This is a beautiful place!
Don't you think you are being
a bit indifferent when one of the
most important men in Joseon is dying?
Indifferent?
What are you trying to do?
Can you resume work today?
I'm going to Deputy Commander
Jang Youngsil!
What do you think you can do there?
I'm going to die with him if
there's nothing else I can do.
That's the least I can do for the man who
worked so hard to give us our own calendar.
You're going to give up the research?
Yes.
Very well.
Men, blow up the ganui!
Yes, sir!
Do it.
What are you doing?
These are useless if you're
giving up the research.
What's the point of
continuing the research?
What was all that talk about pride if
you were going to give up like this?
Was it because of pride?
Were you afraid Joseon would
descend to barbarian race?
No, I was angry.
You should take that up with the King.
He's the one who put our
pride down in the dumps first.
The servant's safety and
welfare is the master's pride;
are you angry because
I'm giving that up as well?
Are you giving up Jang Youngsil?
Are you going to use the evidence of writing
system research to save Jang Youngsil?
What would you be giving up then?
Can you give up on the calendar science?
The only way to fight the stars and
win is to have our own calendar.
The King is refusing to
protect his faithful servant!
Very well.
Go die with Jang Youngsil!
Ignite!
No!
If that's your pride, do it!
Ignite!
No! Step back!
Stay away!
No.
No!
Remember what you're feeling right now.
Passion that transcends rage don't forget
your passion for astronomical knowledge.
When we built this ganui,
when we first observed the stars,
Deputy Commander Jang was
with us every step of the way...
What would you be giving up?
My desire to serve the people,
Your Majesty.
And don't forget the legacy.
The noble heart of Jang Youngsil
who sought to protect the people
although the King could not protect him.
To serve the people who will reap the
benefit of his inventions for years to come.
That legacy is now yours
to carry on, Yi Sunji.
Why did you bring us here?
Yi Sunji and Jang Youngsil.
I don't believe your passion
is any less than theirs.
Would you return to the writing systems
research office in Jingwan Temple?
Seventy-four!
Seventy-five!
Seventy-six!
Seventy-seven!
Seventy-eight!
Seventy-nine!
Eighty!
Eighty-one!
Eighty-two!
Eighty-three!
Eighty-four!
Eighty-five!
Eighty-six!
Eighty-seven!
Eighty-eight!
Eighty-nine!
Hang in there, Majesty.
It'll soon be over.
Condemn me for forsaking you.
I would've made the same
decision in your shoes.
Ninety-nine!
One hundred!
Back to the palace.
Your Highness...
You must stop, or Jang Youngsil's
sacrifice could end in vain.
So you're going back to Ming.
It's time.
Why did you do it?
Why did you deal with
Jing Youngsil yourself?
Out of courtesy for Ming, of course.
He acted in contempt for my
intent to send him to Ming
thereby displaying contempt for Ming.
I couldn't take that lightly.
Will you indeed
be giving up astronomical research?
I will have to wait until Ming becomes
as magnanimous as the size of its land.
Stay away from dangerous ventures.
I have hardly enough time to
pursue ventures that will
benefit my people.
You must give up your
dream of developing your own writing.
Oh dear...
I know you retired from
Dongchang years ago,
but you must be losing
your political acumen.
Your Majesty!
Putting pressure on a neighboring
state with groundless accusations?
That's rather amateurish.
You really should be more careful.
Have a safe trip home.
How dare he mock me!
Sir...
I am Wang Zhen, the man who
practically controls the Emperor!
How dare a petty King of this
miniscule country patronize me!
He will pay for this!
Do you want to stop the
writing system development?
Yes.
It's Venerable Wang's opinion that
it will require replacing the King.
I am the King's servant.
Don't you want to serve a better king?
One that will maintain
friendly relations with Ming.
Not one that will take Joseon
down the path of cultural decline
by creating a crude alphabet, but...
Little China!
One that will make us
a true civilized nation?
We are willing to give you
full support if you decide.
First I need a guarantee that
Ming will refrain from excessive
interference in Joseonese domestic affairs.
He's a businessman.
Deputy Commander Jang left it for you.
He was worried about
your deteriorating vision.
It's... no use.
Father.
Even with this, everything is too blurry.
I can't make out the words.
No records of Jang Youngsil can are
found in the annals of Joseon subsequent
disappears from Gyeongbok Palace as well.
to his dismissal from government service
for lese majesty in May of 1442.
About the same time, ganui(armilla)
But astronomical research
continued in Joseon.
1442 AD, 24th year of Sejong's reign,
Joseonese calendar was at last completed
by Yi Sunji, Jeong Inji and the others.
It was named
"Almanacs of the Seven Planets".
1442 AD, Jingwan Temple
Turn.
"It's a mystery."
What is?
It's a mystery...
"It's a mystery."
Toward the rock one, two, three.
He takes it off.
"Dol."
And he turns around.
Royal Attendant.
- Young monks.
- "Dol".
"D-ol".
"D-ol".
Louder.
"D-ol"!
Louder!
"D-ol"!
Longer!
"Our speech sounds".
Our speech sounds...
"I can't figure out the secret."
My Queen.
It's nice being out here.
What do you think is the secret?
Your Majesty?
I can't figure out the secret.
There!
Now he's done!
What are you doing right now?
Memorizing the King's routine.
Don't you have anything else to do?
You try being here day after day.
You'll have it down pat as well.
He's been repeating the same
routine for over three months.
Please escort him inside.
Breakfast will be served soon.
That will be a difficult task.
Your Majesty, the time is...
Walking around mumbling himself?
Passing time singing with
the wind and admiring the moon?
Well, at least he didn't look
like he was doing any research.
No, the King is more focused
on the research than ever.
Sir.
Walking around waiting
for a moment of inspiration...
It's an old habit of his.
Are you making sure no one
knows that we're watching him?
Of course.
Why are you so startled?
Oh, we're just...
I guess you should be scared.
You're only half done with the footnotes.
We suddenly had a stomach ache, so...
Are you going to shape up or do I have
to punish you for neglect of duty?
Why are you always picking on us?
Are you saying that it's wrong
for me to give you assignments?
You're here.
It's past nine, Your Majesty.
Days seem so short.
Another unfruitful day has come to an end.
Wait a minute.
Where was that list of phonemes I had?
Are you doing the reference
research yourself as well?
I got used to it.
The physician is quite concerned.
It's their job to be concerned.
Your eyes are getting worse
and so is the neuralgia.
I'm fine.
Saga Reading?
That's the only way to send Sung Sammun
and Shin Sukju to His Majesty.
Saga Reading...
It's an academic furlough for scholars
to pursue their own area of interest.
But won't that draw even more
attention to the two scholars?
That can be easily resolved.
Give all of the young scholars
an academic furlough.
We decline.
Decline?
We don't want to conduct any
research out of the Hall of Worthies.
We can pursue our own area
of interest on our own time.
Why are you trying to
defy a superior's order?
Assistant Director Jeong.
We cannot accept you as our superior.
Wiji!
You had a chance to save Jang Youngsil,
but you didn't. Isn't that true?
It's not that simple.
We will defy every order you give us.
If you don't value talent, you don't
deserve to lead the Hall of Worthies!
A transfer to provincial government posts?
I'd like to send Gim Mun
and Jeong Changson.
Hall of Worthies is a research institution.
For what purpose do you wish to
dispatch them to provincial government?
Knowledge becomes stagnate
trapped in an office.
I want them to learn how
it applies in the real world.
That makes sense.
You're requesting a transfer
to Gwangju and Andong?
Confucius scholars that settled there
are known for their deep erudition.
And their strong influence.
Having strong influence
means having deep erudition.
We intend to share our research with
them and acquire their knowledge.
Very well.
I will consider.
Shouldn't Choi Manli be
removed from service?
That is not a good idea.
But he's interfering excessively
with the writing systems research.
That is all the more
reason to keep him near.
It's the opposing few,
not the silent majority that reminds
the King the direction he must take.
The King cannot always be right.
It's through opposing opinion that
policies are shaped and improved.
But men are gathering around Choi Manli.
If he's sending his men to
regional governments,
he's branching out to regional forces to
stop you from creating a writing system.
If we can overcome this hurtle,
the policy could gain momentum.
Isn't that right, Prime Minister?
Then Your Majesty,
let Choi Manli have the Hall of Worthies.
Assistant Director?
By direct appointment of the King.
He recognizes your academic capacity.
I'm sincerely humbled.
I'm counting on your good work,
Assistant Director.
I will do my best.
I hate to put so much work on your
desk on your first day of promotion,
but I really need you to take care of this.
Forbid double duty for the
Hall of Worthies scholars?
His Majesty wants the Hall of Worthies to
remain an institution for Confucius studies.
Putting the scholars to administrative
work undermines that purpose.
What do you think?
You are quite right.
I will take care of this.
No more double duty for the scholars?
They mean to completely seal
off our political involvement.
Yes.
They're trying to render you powerless!
I know.
Then.
Our goal is not political.
It's stopping the writing
system development.
Have you forgotten?
Accept the Saga Reading?
I want all of you to go to Jingwan
Temple first thing tomorrow morning.
But sir...
Go, and watch the King's every move.
I want evidence that he is working
on writing system development!
The secret...
The secret of our speech sounds...
You've created some interesting words.
You should turn in and rest.
I'm here for a reason.
If my son didn't eat,
ignored me and skipped his medication,
I would have whipped him.
My Queen...
Don't mind me and do what you're doing.
I'm not leaving until you've
finished your herbal tonic.
I'm fascinated how you've put these two
words together to express our sound.
"Do-l" for "Dol" (rock).
Then "Mul" (water) must be "Mu-l".
Do you find it interesting?
Not interesting enough to justify
forgetting to take your medication.
Of all words that are pronounced "Mu"
why did you pick the verb "to dance"?
Because of the way the water flows.
Like dancing waves, "Mul", "Mu-l".
Wait.
"Mu-l".
Your Majesty.
"Do-l".
"So-l".
- "Go-l".
- Your Majesty.
Why didn't I separate
the phonemes before?
It's so clear!
Your Majesty?
"Dol" is not "D-ol".
It's "D-o-l".
Yes!
"Sol" is not S-ol".
It's "S-o-l"!
The answer is "o", the center sound!
Chinese and Korean language
have different sounds,
so the phonemic principle
can't be the same.
Why did we keep trying to use
Chinese phonetics where the
sound of each syllabic block
is divided only into two?
Not two but three,
there're three, my Queen!
Your Majesty.
There is an "o" in the middle.
That means there're three
components in one syllable.
Initial, medial and final,
these three sounds.
This is the sound of Joseon and
the secret I've been looking for!
Initial, medial, final.
Symbols that express these sounds.
All I have to do now is to
come up with those symbols!
This is good, isn't it?
Of course it is!
You're the mother of Joseon.
And you played a huge part
in creating our writing as well!
Your Majesty!
The King's carriage collapsed?
You'll be even more shocked
when I tell you who is responsible.
Why did you destroy the King's carriage?
How else am I to expel my rage for the King
who has forsaken me?
Arrest Deputy Commander
Jang Youngsil at once.
I will personally decide his punishment.
Put him on trial?
Why are you trying our prisoner
who is to be taken to Ming?
Jang Youngsil has committed
a crime equal to high treason.
How would your government
deal with such a criminal?
Branding?
A crime against the King is
a crime against the country.
He must be branded a traitor and
sentenced to a lifetime of forced labor.
Forced labor!
The King will attempt to send
Jang Youngsil to forced labor.
You mean send him to
a labor camp for life?
That's the only way to keep Jang
and his valuable talent in Joseon.
Father, you can't do this!
You can't do this to him.
How can I put a shackle on a man
who has my daughter's heart?
I'll just have to give
him something better.
What are you going to do?
Don't!
Don't do this!
No, Father!
No!
The King set this up.
It's a ploy to keep Jang Youngsil
from being taken to Ming.
Isn't it?
It's a waste of energy trying to second
guess the King at a time like this.
Don't you know that?
Wang Zhen will see right through this.
Of course he will.
What were you doing?
What's this?
Jang Youngsil?
I made a drawing of him just
in case he tries to escape.
Good.
You wish to observe Jang Youngsil's trial?
It's Venerable Wang's order.
His Majesty won't mind.
This is a political charade!
A show to avoid having to send Jang
Youngsil to Ming and divert attention
away from the writing system development!
His Majesty won't be able to get
through this predicament unless
he can erase all suspicion from
the Ming envoy and the government.
That will depend on how far he is
willing to go with Jang Youngsil.
King's degree of cruelty
that will be the key.
I will not enforce branding.
But Your Majesty...
Branding as punishment has
been outlawed by national law.
He will not be sentenced
to forced labor either.
No forced labor?
He's being
much to lenient, don't you think?
Treasonous heart deserves
a much harsher punishment.
Then...
I am hereby sentencing Jang Youngsil
to one hundred lashes harshest flogging
punishment allowed by the law.
Father!
Guards, what are you waiting for?
One hundred lashes could kill him!
Tie him to the flogging rack!
Flogging?
That's absurd!
Oh, dear...
One hundred lashes?
It will crush his bones and rip his skin.
I've never heard of anyone surviving
after one hundred lashes.
Killing his own man in tears...
That's quite a move the King is making.
Should I call Choi Manli?
He's the one that can give you
what you need to one-up that move.
You're a good judge of character.
There's only one thing that
can change where this is going.
The writing system development?
We have to turn over the evidence to Ming.
Where is Jeong Inji?
Are you going to the tribunal?
Where else should I be going?
That is not where you should be going.
What do you mean by that?
What are you doing?
What have you done?
I got rid of a piece of paper we don't need.
What?
Was it the King?
Did you fall for him again?
How did he coax this time?
Jang Youngsil's entry to government
office was a meaningful event for us.
Don't change the subject.
"A slave cannot be one of us."
"A peasant cannot hold rank above
nobles no matter how talented he is."
What's your point?
It wasn't easy, but we overcame
that false consciousness.
Jeong Inji!
There were times when we were
unafraid of such revolution.
So what are you saying?
Are you going to join the King's revolution?
Are you going to be the vanguard
of his writing system development?
I haven't decided anything.
All I know is that what's worse than
false consciousness is stagnation
treading water in silence and
indecision out of fear of change.
If you turn against me now to support
the King's high and mighty revolution,
you and I will become
irreconcilable enemies.
I'm afraid of myself more than
I am of anyone or anything else.
And I think I should be
as the Hall of Worthies leader.
This is the last lesson that
my one-time superior and
long-time respected colleague
Jang Youngsil has taught me.
Forth-nine!
Fifty!
Fifty-one!
Fifty-two!
Fifty-three!
Fifty-four!
Fifty-five!
Fifty-six!
Fifty-seven!
Fifty-eight!
Fifty-nine!
Sixty!
Sixty-one!
Continue.
Is there no other way?
Restrain yourself.
Please stop the flogging.
This could kill him, Father!
Prime Minister.
Continue the flogging!
This is insane!
My man!
Let go!
Let go of me!
Youngsil!
He's possessed by evil spirits!
Your Majesty, you of all
people can't do this to him!
Leave us!
Is this how you return his
thirty years of loyalty?
Continue the flogging!
You use him like a dog and now this?
Let go!
Let go of me!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
Youngsil!
Youngsil!
Youngsil, you poor kid!
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry!
It's my fault.
I should've never noticed you.
I should've never told you to use
your talent for that horrible man!
I should've never asked him to give
you a chance to develop your talent!
I should've had you
rip off that uniform!
Let go of me!
Let go!
Kill me!
Kill me instead!
This is a beautiful place!
Don't you think you are being
a bit indifferent when one of the
most important men in Joseon is dying?
Indifferent?
What are you trying to do?
Can you resume work today?
I'm going to Deputy Commander
Jang Youngsil!
What do you think you can do there?
I'm going to die with him if
there's nothing else I can do.
That's the least I can do for the man who
worked so hard to give us our own calendar.
You're going to give up the research?
Yes.
Very well.
Men, blow up the ganui!
Yes, sir!
Do it.
What are you doing?
These are useless if you're
giving up the research.
What's the point of
continuing the research?
What was all that talk about pride if
you were going to give up like this?
Was it because of pride?
Were you afraid Joseon would
descend to barbarian race?
No, I was angry.
You should take that up with the King.
He's the one who put our
pride down in the dumps first.
The servant's safety and
welfare is the master's pride;
are you angry because
I'm giving that up as well?
Are you giving up Jang Youngsil?
Are you going to use the evidence of writing
system research to save Jang Youngsil?
What would you be giving up then?
Can you give up on the calendar science?
The only way to fight the stars and
win is to have our own calendar.
The King is refusing to
protect his faithful servant!
Very well.
Go die with Jang Youngsil!
Ignite!
No!
If that's your pride, do it!
Ignite!
No! Step back!
Stay away!
No.
No!
Remember what you're feeling right now.
Passion that transcends rage don't forget
your passion for astronomical knowledge.
When we built this ganui,
when we first observed the stars,
Deputy Commander Jang was
with us every step of the way...
What would you be giving up?
My desire to serve the people,
Your Majesty.
And don't forget the legacy.
The noble heart of Jang Youngsil
who sought to protect the people
although the King could not protect him.
To serve the people who will reap the
benefit of his inventions for years to come.
That legacy is now yours
to carry on, Yi Sunji.
Why did you bring us here?
Yi Sunji and Jang Youngsil.
I don't believe your passion
is any less than theirs.
Would you return to the writing systems
research office in Jingwan Temple?
Seventy-four!
Seventy-five!
Seventy-six!
Seventy-seven!
Seventy-eight!
Seventy-nine!
Eighty!
Eighty-one!
Eighty-two!
Eighty-three!
Eighty-four!
Eighty-five!
Eighty-six!
Eighty-seven!
Eighty-eight!
Eighty-nine!
Hang in there, Majesty.
It'll soon be over.
Condemn me for forsaking you.
I would've made the same
decision in your shoes.
Ninety-nine!
One hundred!
Back to the palace.
Your Highness...
You must stop, or Jang Youngsil's
sacrifice could end in vain.
So you're going back to Ming.
It's time.
Why did you do it?
Why did you deal with
Jing Youngsil yourself?
Out of courtesy for Ming, of course.
He acted in contempt for my
intent to send him to Ming
thereby displaying contempt for Ming.
I couldn't take that lightly.
Will you indeed
be giving up astronomical research?
I will have to wait until Ming becomes
as magnanimous as the size of its land.
Stay away from dangerous ventures.
I have hardly enough time to
pursue ventures that will
benefit my people.
You must give up your
dream of developing your own writing.
Oh dear...
I know you retired from
Dongchang years ago,
but you must be losing
your political acumen.
Your Majesty!
Putting pressure on a neighboring
state with groundless accusations?
That's rather amateurish.
You really should be more careful.
Have a safe trip home.
How dare he mock me!
Sir...
I am Wang Zhen, the man who
practically controls the Emperor!
How dare a petty King of this
miniscule country patronize me!
He will pay for this!
Do you want to stop the
writing system development?
Yes.
It's Venerable Wang's opinion that
it will require replacing the King.
I am the King's servant.
Don't you want to serve a better king?
One that will maintain
friendly relations with Ming.
Not one that will take Joseon
down the path of cultural decline
by creating a crude alphabet, but...
Little China!
One that will make us
a true civilized nation?
We are willing to give you
full support if you decide.
First I need a guarantee that
Ming will refrain from excessive
interference in Joseonese domestic affairs.
He's a businessman.
Deputy Commander Jang left it for you.
He was worried about
your deteriorating vision.
It's... no use.
Father.
Even with this, everything is too blurry.
I can't make out the words.
No records of Jang Youngsil can are
found in the annals of Joseon subsequent
disappears from Gyeongbok Palace as well.
to his dismissal from government service
for lese majesty in May of 1442.
About the same time, ganui(armilla)
But astronomical research
continued in Joseon.
1442 AD, 24th year of Sejong's reign,
Joseonese calendar was at last completed
by Yi Sunji, Jeong Inji and the others.
It was named
"Almanacs of the Seven Planets".
1442 AD, Jingwan Temple
Turn.
"It's a mystery."
What is?
It's a mystery...
"It's a mystery."
Toward the rock one, two, three.
He takes it off.
"Dol."
And he turns around.
Royal Attendant.
- Young monks.
- "Dol".
"D-ol".
"D-ol".
Louder.
"D-ol"!
Louder!
"D-ol"!
Longer!
"Our speech sounds".
Our speech sounds...
"I can't figure out the secret."
My Queen.
It's nice being out here.
What do you think is the secret?
Your Majesty?
I can't figure out the secret.
There!
Now he's done!
What are you doing right now?
Memorizing the King's routine.
Don't you have anything else to do?
You try being here day after day.
You'll have it down pat as well.
He's been repeating the same
routine for over three months.
Please escort him inside.
Breakfast will be served soon.
That will be a difficult task.
Your Majesty, the time is...
Walking around mumbling himself?
Passing time singing with
the wind and admiring the moon?
Well, at least he didn't look
like he was doing any research.
No, the King is more focused
on the research than ever.
Sir.
Walking around waiting
for a moment of inspiration...
It's an old habit of his.
Are you making sure no one
knows that we're watching him?
Of course.
Why are you so startled?
Oh, we're just...
I guess you should be scared.
You're only half done with the footnotes.
We suddenly had a stomach ache, so...
Are you going to shape up or do I have
to punish you for neglect of duty?
Why are you always picking on us?
Are you saying that it's wrong
for me to give you assignments?
You're here.
It's past nine, Your Majesty.
Days seem so short.
Another unfruitful day has come to an end.
Wait a minute.
Where was that list of phonemes I had?
Are you doing the reference
research yourself as well?
I got used to it.
The physician is quite concerned.
It's their job to be concerned.
Your eyes are getting worse
and so is the neuralgia.
I'm fine.
Saga Reading?
That's the only way to send Sung Sammun
and Shin Sukju to His Majesty.
Saga Reading...
It's an academic furlough for scholars
to pursue their own area of interest.
But won't that draw even more
attention to the two scholars?
That can be easily resolved.
Give all of the young scholars
an academic furlough.
We decline.
Decline?
We don't want to conduct any
research out of the Hall of Worthies.
We can pursue our own area
of interest on our own time.
Why are you trying to
defy a superior's order?
Assistant Director Jeong.
We cannot accept you as our superior.
Wiji!
You had a chance to save Jang Youngsil,
but you didn't. Isn't that true?
It's not that simple.
We will defy every order you give us.
If you don't value talent, you don't
deserve to lead the Hall of Worthies!
A transfer to provincial government posts?
I'd like to send Gim Mun
and Jeong Changson.
Hall of Worthies is a research institution.
For what purpose do you wish to
dispatch them to provincial government?
Knowledge becomes stagnate
trapped in an office.
I want them to learn how
it applies in the real world.
That makes sense.
You're requesting a transfer
to Gwangju and Andong?
Confucius scholars that settled there
are known for their deep erudition.
And their strong influence.
Having strong influence
means having deep erudition.
We intend to share our research with
them and acquire their knowledge.
Very well.
I will consider.
Shouldn't Choi Manli be
removed from service?
That is not a good idea.
But he's interfering excessively
with the writing systems research.
That is all the more
reason to keep him near.
It's the opposing few,
not the silent majority that reminds
the King the direction he must take.
The King cannot always be right.
It's through opposing opinion that
policies are shaped and improved.
But men are gathering around Choi Manli.
If he's sending his men to
regional governments,
he's branching out to regional forces to
stop you from creating a writing system.
If we can overcome this hurtle,
the policy could gain momentum.
Isn't that right, Prime Minister?
Then Your Majesty,
let Choi Manli have the Hall of Worthies.
Assistant Director?
By direct appointment of the King.
He recognizes your academic capacity.
I'm sincerely humbled.
I'm counting on your good work,
Assistant Director.
I will do my best.
I hate to put so much work on your
desk on your first day of promotion,
but I really need you to take care of this.
Forbid double duty for the
Hall of Worthies scholars?
His Majesty wants the Hall of Worthies to
remain an institution for Confucius studies.
Putting the scholars to administrative
work undermines that purpose.
What do you think?
You are quite right.
I will take care of this.
No more double duty for the scholars?
They mean to completely seal
off our political involvement.
Yes.
They're trying to render you powerless!
I know.
Then.
Our goal is not political.
It's stopping the writing
system development.
Have you forgotten?
Accept the Saga Reading?
I want all of you to go to Jingwan
Temple first thing tomorrow morning.
But sir...
Go, and watch the King's every move.
I want evidence that he is working
on writing system development!
The secret...
The secret of our speech sounds...
You've created some interesting words.
You should turn in and rest.
I'm here for a reason.
If my son didn't eat,
ignored me and skipped his medication,
I would have whipped him.
My Queen...
Don't mind me and do what you're doing.
I'm not leaving until you've
finished your herbal tonic.
I'm fascinated how you've put these two
words together to express our sound.
"Do-l" for "Dol" (rock).
Then "Mul" (water) must be "Mu-l".
Do you find it interesting?
Not interesting enough to justify
forgetting to take your medication.
Of all words that are pronounced "Mu"
why did you pick the verb "to dance"?
Because of the way the water flows.
Like dancing waves, "Mul", "Mu-l".
Wait.
"Mu-l".
Your Majesty.
"Do-l".
"So-l".
- "Go-l".
- Your Majesty.
Why didn't I separate
the phonemes before?
It's so clear!
Your Majesty?
"Dol" is not "D-ol".
It's "D-o-l".
Yes!
"Sol" is not S-ol".
It's "S-o-l"!
The answer is "o", the center sound!
Chinese and Korean language
have different sounds,
so the phonemic principle
can't be the same.
Why did we keep trying to use
Chinese phonetics where the
sound of each syllabic block
is divided only into two?
Not two but three,
there're three, my Queen!
Your Majesty.
There is an "o" in the middle.
That means there're three
components in one syllable.
Initial, medial and final,
these three sounds.
This is the sound of Joseon and
the secret I've been looking for!
Initial, medial, final.
Symbols that express these sounds.
All I have to do now is to
come up with those symbols!
This is good, isn't it?
Of course it is!
You're the mother of Joseon.
And you played a huge part
in creating our writing as well!