Original subtitles

That's it.

There you go.

Yes. Yes.

Make sure you don't regret anything.

Just swallow the whole thing.

I believed that...

this world operated according to some sort of a law.

I've devoted my entire life...

in order to find what that law was.

I realised that the astronomical knowledge I obtained...

after all the struggles was incomplete at times,

which deeply disappointed me.

However,

every time that happened, I realised this.

In this ever-changing universe,

which is limitless,

I'll vanish without a trace.

My last wish is...

for someone...

to inherit everything I have recorded and to study it.

I trust you, that person who will inherit my studies.

Even if you can never grasp the truth about this universe,

I trust that you will be courageous enough to take the challenge.

I say this because...

it is...

my destiny...

and your fate.

(Episode 1)

Eun Bok!

Eun Bok!

Let's see.

It's too small.

Are we going to...

the memorial service at Master Hee Je's residence again?

(Eun Bok, Jang Yeong Sil as a child)

Can we not go there?

(Eun Wol, Jang Yeong Sil's mother)

The lord will come.

I saw that in my dream.

He was very happy to see you.

What's wrong?

He has never met me before,

so how did he know that it was me?

It's because you...

resemble him so much.

Especially when you smile,

you look exactly like him.

Really?

Yes.

It's me, Eun Wol.

Madame asked me to come by.

(Dongrae-hyun, Busan)

(Year 1401, the first year of King Taejong's reign)

How long are you going to keep this up?

Where do you get the courage to come here every year?

I apologise.

This kid is growing,

but he takes after no one in the Jang family.

What do you want me to do about the kid?

Please take a closer look at him.

His ears and forehead tell you that he belongs to a noble family.

He looks exactly like the lord.

Oh my.

Gosh.

It's heavy, isn't it?

Let's go. Let's go now.

There is a way to cause the people to reverence their ruler.

The people will respect you if you treat them respectfully.

If you treat your parents devotedly and love your subordinates,

they will admire you wholeheartedly.

If you hire talented people and let them teach others,

the people will do their best to work hard. These are his teachings.

That is impressive.

I still have a lot to learn, Uncle.

I thought that you were more interested in...

useless trivial knowledge than studying books,

so I was very concerned.

Now, you are very focused...

and studying hard,

so I am very glad to see the change in you.

I will never let trivial knowledge waste my time, Uncle.

Good.

That is a wise decision.

Neigh!

- Neigh! - Giddy up! Let's go!

Giddy up!

Eun Bok, look at me.

Yes, Master.

It's 9am now, so you need to act as my siblings' horse until 10am.

Yes. Master.

But how can I know when it's 10am?

You are so stupid.

The shadow on this sundial is pointing at 9am at the moment.

In an hour from now, it will be pointing at 10am.

The words are clearly written here. You don't even know these things?

I know that right now is the hour of the Snake, but I can't read words.

Please put a pebble over the 10am mark so that I know where it is.

How pathetic. You still haven't learned to read?

Aren't you embarrassed?

I don't really feel the need to learn how to read.

You'll become a servant at the local civil court,

so you won't need to read anyway.

I shouldn't even have brought it up.

Okay. This is the 10am mark.

Now, play with my siblings and run fast as their horse.

Yes, Master.

Neigh!

That's not enough. Go faster!

(Lady Ga Hyun, later becomes Princess So Hyun)

This horseback riding game isn't fun.

Let's play hide and seek instead.

Giddy up. Let's go.

Lady Ga Hyun wants to play hide and seek.

It's long past the 10am mark.

That's why I'm so exhausted.

Master didn't keep his word.

Noon refers to the same time every day, but...

the sun rises higher in summer and lower in winter,

so the length of the shadow changes even if it's at the same hour.

There's something else this clock can tell us.

I think the water in Dongrae's hot spring is very therapeutic.

It is helping my wife's niece recover quickly.

It has already been over a month since I showed up...

and asked you to let me stay at your house. Thank you, Master.

Gosh, don't worry about it.

You know that our families...

have been very close since the kingdom of Goryeo.

Sung Bae. Please refrain from talking about the kingdom of Goryeo.

Sir Lee and I are loyal to Joseon, so it makes us feel uncomfortable.

- Did I make you feel uncomfortable? - No. But...

Sir Jang here is the present governor of this district and...

is deeply loyal to His Majesty, so it could've made him uncomfortable.

If His Majesty, who is in Kaesong, doesn't want to...

hear about the kingdom of Goryeo, he should leave Kaesong.

He should relocate the capital to Hanyang again.

Don't you agree?

I'm just a low-ranking officer, so I don't have much knowledge.

Your position may not hold much importance,

but I heard that you directly communicate with His Majesty.

I heard the rumour too.

It isn't anything negative, so I decided not to be bothered by it.

So you're saying that the rumour isn't true?

He asked me to play a game of polo with him a while back,

so I did have the chance to meet with him.

By chance, could you arrange a meeting between Sung Hwee...

- and His Majesty? - Sung Bae.

Do you know where Sir Jang is at the moment?

I am sure I can find him.

If His Majesty is willing to meet him,

I will send all of my family members out to find him.

(Jang Sung Hwee)

Snake, wait a little bit. I'll do Lady Ga Hyun's first.

Lady Ga Hyun, thank you.

How did you know I was getting tired from the horseback riding game?

I would be in so much pain now if you didn't suggest stopping it.

Hey.

Hey.

Come over here. It's too hot out there.

Where is Lady Ga Hyun?

I even went to the hill behind the house, but couldn't find her.

- We can't find her. - We have no idea where she is.

Where did she go?

Why are you giving this to me?

I made it for you, Lady Ga Hyun.

Really? I was looking at it earlier thinking that I wanted it.

You really made this for me?

Gosh. It really looks like me.

I'll take good care of it. Thanks!

Thank you for stopping the horseback ride game for me earlier.

I was getting so exhausted. You saved me, Lady Ga Hyun.

Did you do this?

Yes, Master.

How dare you! How dare you touch your master's belonging.

Getting my uncle's permission to make this sundial was very hard.

Master Hee Je, look at this. Doesn't this look exactly like me?

Eun Bok made this.

How about we have Eun Bok make carvings of the animals...

in the Chinese zodiac for this sundial?

Gosh, Lady Ga Hyun. Why should we do such a useless thing?

It'll be great if illiterate people like him could read the sundial too.

Eun Bok will become a servant at the local civil court.

He just needs to do as he is told. Why would he need to know the time?

It'll be good if many people can use this sundial you made.

Your younger siblings who can't read yet will also be...

happy to be able to use this sundial.

Horse, wait just a little bit.

I'll make some friends for you. You won't be bored anymore.

- Wow. They look great! - How is it coming along?

- How come you made four snakes? - Yes, Master.

I was watching the sun's shadow and came up with a good idea.

- Shadow? - Yes.

This sundial you made is designed to...

tell the time according to the direction of the sun's shadow.

I've been observing the sun's shadow for a number of years.

The length of the shadow changes according to the season.

It's longer in winter and shorter in summer even if it's the same time.

If we can use these extra carvings when the shadow is the longest,

- the shortest and in the middle... - It will tell us the season!

Yes, Lady Ga Hyun. That is correct.

Gosh, Eun Bok. That is a great idea. How did you come up with it?

Master Hee Je, you're proud of me, right?

What does the length of the shadow have to do with you?

Why did you do something that I didn't even tell you to do?

Master, I am sorry.

I just wanted to improve this sundial you made...

to benefit more people.

Had I known that it would enrage you this much,

I wouldn't have made those extra carvings.

You can hit me as much as you want.

Please don't destroy these animals I made.

They are just useless carvings.

Come here!

A slave attacked a noble!

Come here!

What happened, Master?

My lord.

My lord.

Eun Wol.

My lord...

You're here.

You're finally here.

My lord...

How come...

What are you doing here?

He must be taught a lesson.

Beat him hard...

so that he remembers...

he must never dare to act...

against a noble again.

Yes, my lord.

I will teach him his place once and for all.

My lord.

You are a guest.

Stay out of it.

Sung Hwee.

Eun...

Eun Bok.

Eun Bok.

Eun Bok. Eun Bok.

Eun Bok.

Eun Bok.

Eun Bok.

Eun Bok.

Eun Bok. Eun Bok.

Eun Bok.

My poor baby...

Poor thing.

Eun Bok.

Eun Bok.

Eun Bok.

Your father...

Your father is here.

He may have been out of line,

but you can't punish a child like that.

(Jang Sung Bae)

He deserved more than what he got.

Otherwise he will only grow to hate nobles.

If he makes a stand even as an adult,

he will become a nuisance.

If he has a good enough reason,

then he must make a stand to any noble he sees fit.

Do you really mean that?

That's enough.

We met after 10 long years.

Let us not fight over...

a child born of a gisaeng.

Now you're back,

tell them...

never to set foot here insisting the child is our blood.

Be firm.

She wouldn't say so unless she were sure.

What?

You only spent one night with her.

Eun Wol used to be a famous beauty in this district.

How can you be sure the boy is yours?

Watch what you say.

You should be more careful too.

Try not to cause strife within the family.

What do you mean?

Do you think I don't know you go around meeting people...

from the previous government and badmouth our King?

I only voiced out my opinion that...

Lee Seong Gye and Lee Bang Won stole the throne.

Never once did I say...

anything to undermine your support for the Lee family.

Don't judge my personal views.

Can't you just pretend you don't exist?

Your existence alone gets in the way of my rise to power.

We have a slave who insists her son has the Jang family's blood.

And there is you who go around saying whatever you want.

I said...

watch your tongue.

Why should I watch what I say when I pay for...

everything you say?

My lord.

Did you call for us?

What is your name?

It is Eun Bok...

my lord.

I named him that,

meaning "Eun Wol's blessing".

That's what it means.

From now on,

you are Yeong Sil.

Jang Yeong Sil.

Are you...

able to write?

No, my lord.

I apologise.

You cannot know...

what you never learned.

Eun Bok.

No, Yeong Sil. Thank him.

Thank you for naming me,

my lord.

I cooked everything with care.

I don't know what is causing this.

Did you add angelica roots?

How did you know?

The noodles were made of rare flour,

so I added some angelica root for extra flavour.

I am allergic to angelica root.

So is Yeong Sil.

Your mother said he doesn't resemble you.

I can tell right away that he does but she disagrees.

He is...

calm and...

very thoughtful.

When asked a question, he answers carefully.

He's not at all like me, a common slave.

He reminds me of you in every way.

Now I finally understand why people say...

an apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Which part do you think...

Yeong Sil...

resembles me the most?

The stars.

Just like you,

he loves to look at the stars.

Does he?

Do you like to look at the stars?

Yes.

I like everything...

that's in the sky.

Do you?

You do take after me!

You're here for the solar eclipse,

not for our family's ancestral rites?

(Solar eclipse: The moon blocking the sun during the day)

When the Office of Astrology...

announced the solar eclipse three months ago,

the King said that...

if you were still around,

he would have consulted you.

(The royals held a ceremony because they believed eclipses meant evil.)

The royal court will be busy preparing for the ceremony.

The King pays a lot of attention to this ceremony.

Why wouldn't he be?

It's the first ceremony of its kind since he came the King.

He needs it to go as planned...

if he is to convince the people...

that he was meant to kill his siblings to become the King.

Do you have to put it like that?

You don't have to be so direct.

I'm sorry to say this but...

the solar eclipse...

won't be seen from the palace...

the King resides in.

What do you mean by that?

In 1399, the Office of Astrology said that...

they should do something to avoid the forthcoming evil omens.

King Jeongjong consulted his officials...

and moved the capital to Kaesong.

In November 1400, King Jeongjong abdicated...

and King Taejong sat on the the throne in Kaesong.

His Majesty the King!

Continue what you were doing.

I said continue.

- Yes, sire. - Yes, sire.

Why isn't the Chief Officer of Astrology here yet?

I sent for him. He will be here shortly.

Come on.

Come up here.

What's wrong? It isn't like you're a blushing bride.

Your Majesty, it is only appropriate that...

you give orders from there while I stay down here.

Don't try to be too polite in front of me.

Your Majesty, please don't say things like that.

Your Majesty, did you ask for me?

I heard that you worked at the Office of Astrology...

since the previous government.

Yes, Your Majesty.

(Yu Taek Sang)

After your father came into power,

he acknowledged what little I had to offer,

and honoured me with the opportunity to serve your family.

You must be well aware that...

this solar eclipse and its ceremony...

is the first of my reign and therefore very important.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Every man of the Office of Astrology is working hard to ensure that...

the ceremony goes smoothly.

This ceremony is about...

rescuing the sun from the moon.

A solar eclipse is caused by the King's shortcomings.

I shall offer up this ceremony with my whole heart.

I shall beg for forgiveness of my past sins...

and start afresh.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Are you positive the solar eclipse...

will take place at the estimated time tomorrow?

Yes, Your Majesty.

My officers calculated the time...

as many times as they could.

We got the same result every time.

The solar eclipse will take place...

at the time we previously announced.

10:30am.

- That is the time you gave me. - Yes, Your Majesty.

According to the Chinese astronomical calendar,

there surely will be a solar eclipse.

All we had to calculate was the time and location.

On your orders,

we made the calculations multiple times.

Good. You did a very good job.

Your Majesty, every provincial office in every region...

will not dance or play any music...

from dawn until the end of the ceremony is announced.

Instead they will all pray that the ceremony is held respectfully.

What do you mean?

Our calculations are wrong?

I found this book on the shelf.

- This book is about... - Just get to the point.

Let him speak.

This was written by Jang Sung Hwee...

- during the Goryeo dynasty. - And?

- I always respected him and so... - Just make your point.

Are you saying you got a different time for the eclipse?

Not just the time.

If it's not about the time,

then what...

It... It can't be.

Yes. There might not be an eclipse at all.

Are you trying to get us all killed?

I reported that this would be the first solar eclipse...

since our King's reign,

so the ceremony holds the importance for his legitimacy.

If there is no eclipse,

how will I be able to explain the report that I submitted?

Who else knows about this?

Who else could I tell? You are the only two I trust.

Should we suggest that we cancel the ceremony?

Say nothing.

Are you saying we should let him stand on the podium...

and disgrace himself?

What if we cancel the ceremony...

and the solar eclipse take place?

That would be even worse.

Then we are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

What should we do?

The King could end up...

looking like a fool?

That would be quite interesting.

I am willing to go into exile if I am wrong.

But do you believe that Jang Sung Hwee's calculations...

could be accurate?

Because he's Jang Sung Hwee.

When he did the calculations back in the Goryeo era,

he barely got it wrong about the location of a solar eclipse.

(Hwang Hui)

I know that the people speak ill of me.

"He killed his younger brothers to be a king."

- "He ousted his father." - Your Majesty.

If you were in my situation...

I believe you had no other choice.

You were in a difficult position of making a decision...

- for well-being of the royal court. - I only did it to live.

I just did not want to die.

For as long as my brother lived,

Jeong Do Jeon wouldn't have let me survive.

I can only protect my people when I am alive myself.

- Your Majesty. - At tomorrow's ceremony,

I shall cleanse out all my sins.

Let us show the court and the people...

what a grand ceremony this can be.

I will show them that the gods have forgiven me,

and given me new fate.

Let's show it to them.

Yes, Your Majesty. It shall happen as you wish.

- Which is why... - Yes?

You're aware of what I have gone through.

You also know how much I love the royal court and my people.

Write something that explains it all and read it prior to the ceremony.

Appeal my case to the gods and this whole world.

Please do that for me.

This much complicated calculation?

It makes me feel dizzy.

This calculation is so complicated.

Could you have made a mistake?

I could have.

But according to my calculations, this solar eclipse...

will be barely seen from this Dongrae-hyun.

If you go to Jeju Island,

then you could see the moon swallow more of the sun.

Let's say that your calculations are correct.

Why did the Office of Astrology conclude that...

the eclipse would be seen clearly from Kaesong?

Because they miscalculated the latitude of Kaesong.

I am afraid that...

no one can calculate the latitude...

with much accuracy in this world.

The possibility of observing a solar eclipse is...

depending on the latitude?

I know...

that you hope I am wrong.

Yes.

I need you to be wrong.

The King put in so much work to hold this ceremony.

We need a meaningful solar eclipse in Kaesong...

while all you need...

is a small spectacle here in Dongrae-hyun.

That way both you and the Office of Astrology would be satisfied.

Come with me to Mount Geumjungsan tomorrow.

We can pray ourselves.

That is the best joke I have heard in a while.

I wasn't joking.

I do want to ask you this.

Is there a reason you're here for the eclipse?

You said it won't be a complete eclipse.

This will be...

the last eclipse...

I will ever see in this world.

I'm coming up.

I'm warning you.

Do not even dream of...

bringing the gisaeng's boy...

to our ancestral rites.

Do you have to bring that up now?

What's going on?

If you insist on bringing in this slave boy,

I will not allow you up here either.

Sung Hwee.

Step aside.

Dear moon.

Dear stars.

And the sleeping sun.

Thank you.

If my son is able to avoid being called a slave...

As long as he...

doesn't have to work as a servant at the civil court,

then I can...

die happy right this moment.

Long before Goryeo existed,

there was Goguryeo.

In those days,

in Pyeongyang Castle,

there was a slab of stone onto which...

the constellations were carved.

This is...

a rubbed copy of that carving.

Constellations that are...

over 1,000 years old.

Then are these...

1,000-year-old stars that were in the sky...

above Pyeongyang Castle?

Wow.

Unfortunately, though,

the carving...

fell into Daedong River and was lost.

What a pity.

Here.

It's yours now.

Pardon?

I am glad that...

you love the stars.

My lord.

Thank you!

Thank you so much, my lord!

These were written by the Office of Astrology...

where I used to work.

These books are preciously handwritten by the original authors.

With these,

learn how to read.

Wow.

Why did you set these two aside?

Because I think they were written by the same author.

How can you tell...

when you cannot even read?

I may not be able to read,

but I can tell the writing is identical.

Here.

The downward strokes.

And here.

The curves are the same.

Did I...

say something wrong?

No.

You are right.

Pardon?

Am I really?

You have an eye for...

recognising and remembering shapes.

That is a great talent.

These two books...

were written by...

a friend of mine.

Now...

we can no longer meet.

Did he...

pass away?

No.

Then...

why can't you meet?

Of all the Goryeo nobles...

(1387)

no one cares more for...

the people than you do.

Your love for the people is like...

the love that a young man feels for his lover.

Should you not be in bed?

The two princes insisted on...

bringing you something.

They were too stubborn and...

I had no choice but to give in.

Do you have something for me?

Yes, Father.

Moon-cakes?

Yes, Father.

These are moon-cakes.

I want you to pray on them,

so that the solar eclipse will take place...

and you can hold a successful ceremony.

Why should I pray over these moon-cakes?

Any prayers...

should be said to the moon in the...

You're right.

There's no moon on the last day of the month.

Is that why...

you brought me these moon-cakes?

- Yes. - Yes.

Where did you...

get this great idea?

It wasn't my idea.

It was his.

Was it?

Yes, Father.

Then why...

did you ask your brother to come with you?

Your wish...

is Brother's wish.

He will become Crown Prince...

and follow in your footsteps.

- Prince. - Yes, Father.

As you rightly said, your older brother...

will soon be named Crown Prince,

and become your next King.

Even after he becomes Crown Prince,

love him as you do now.

When he becomes the King,

you must do your best to serve him. Do you understand?

Yes, Father. I shall do that.

The three of us can now pray that...

tomorrow's ceremony will be a great success.

If you connect the stars like this,

then it becomes Usu.

(Usu: A constellation of the East of twenty-eight mansions)

It includes Altair, my favourite star.

You're right. That's Usu.

Can you name the constellation next to Usu?

It's connected like this.

That is Yeosu.

Let me...

draw Heosu.

Is it that simple?

I can draw Weesu.

Yeong Sil.

At the exact same time a year from today,

these constellations will appear in the exact same place.

(Suchang Palace, Kaesong)

(Mount Geumjungsan, Busan)

He's going to see the eclipse though the reflection in the water.

Looking directly at the sun will hurt your eyes.

I see...

The previous King...

lifted me out of my misery...

and granted me a position...

in which I was able to serve him.

Now we are finally...

able to speak directly to the gods...

to give them our thanks.

Our King and his father took pity on struggling Goryeo,

and helped each other...

to establish a new dynasty they named Joseon.

Our King...

has a pure heart and great wisdom.

Although he was aware of the struggle he would face,

he gladly took on the burden of serving the people...

for their own good.

He had no choice...

but to accept his fate and kill those who challenged him...

with a heavy heart.

(Yu Taek Sang)

Our dear King...

cared not for...

the empty words and threats spewed forth by those...

who envied his position or deemed him undeserving.

With an open heart he welcomes the sun as it...

escapes the moon's clutches.

Cleanse his heart and soul so that...

he can rule with a clear conscience.

It is time.

(Ji Kyoung Chan, Choi Bok)

Go and bring those...

who predicted the solar eclipse!

- Yes. Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

Father.

Father.

Father.

Father.

Your prediction on the solar eclipse here in Dongrae-hyun...

proved to be correct.

It is impressive.

No.

My prediction...

was off again by one hour.

Thank you very much for making the sun...

appear again for my father, the King.

You said that she is your wife's niece.

Is she Lee Bang Won's daughter?

I knew that you'd reveal the truth one day, Princess So Hyun.

My lord.

When can I see...

the solar eclipse again?

There won't be another solar eclipse for a while.

I predict that there will be a lunar eclipse soon.

It will take place around this Thanksgiving.

My lord.

Like you,

I want to be able to predict solar and lunar eclipses.

Making those predictions is very difficult.

Do you really want to learn it?

Yes.

I really want to do it.

Here.

In "The Book of Sun and Moon",

my studies and findings about...

the sun and the moon are recorded.

"The Book of Sun and Moon".

I used what's written in the book to observe...

the sun's and the moon's movements for this Thanksgiving.

So if my prediction is right,

a lunar eclipse will take place.

Read the book...

and see if you can find out...

if my prediction is correct.

Pardon me?

Can I really have...

this valuable book, my lord?

That is exactly why I'm giving it to you.

You can have it because you're someone of value.

Do you really think...

I'm a person of value, my lord?

Of course, you are.

To me, you are...

someone very valuable.

(Jang Yeong Sil)

According to the Chinese astronomical calendar...

Your life will depend on your prediction on the lunar eclipse.

That's strange.

The moon's movement is getting delayed.

His prediction is incorrect.

His Majesty in Kaesong must be informed.

Has the need...

to observe the sky of Joseon and to forecast solar and lunar eclipses...

ever crossed your mind?

If you run away,

you will be decapitated alive.

I, Jang Yeong Sil...

is a slave in Joseon...

who is crazy about the stars!