Original subtitles

The Four Districts and Six Forts...

were established on the borders of Pyongan and Hamgyeong Province...

to deter the Jurchens from invading Joseon.

King Sejong had approved the idea.

In 1433, Choi Yun Deok, the Provincial Governor...

of Pyongan Province started building the Four Districts.

Lee Chun completed the project in 1437.

The Four Districts and Six Forts...

extended Joseon's border to the Amnok and Duman Rivers.

It is the same as the present border between North Korea and China.

Yes, my lord.

I understand the King's wishes.

It is very quiet up here,

but thanks to you, it seems peaceful.

(Hwang Hui)

I heard that you almost lost your life...

to one of the Jurchens' chieftains.

Were you not afraid?

I wasn't afraid of death.

I was more afraid that I wouldn't live up to my expectations,

or that I was too weak to defend the northern border.

I also feared that the people I moved here...

wouldn't be able to settle down.

Those were my fears.

It is because of your age.

Old age makes you fear things you never used to.

Hang in there a little longer.

Yes, my lord. Don't worry.

I will not die here.

Good.

It's getting cold. Let's go inside.

Sure.

Oh, right.

Thanks to the new clock Yeong Sil made,

the soldiers can move much more efficiently.

Right now, the talk of the town...

is Okru.

It's the new "Heaven's Clock" that Yeong Sil made.

Tell me more about that.

I was wondering what the finished clock would look like.

Yeong Sil.

I heard that your Okru is an amazing clock.

(Jang Yeong Sil)

I can't believe that the model of the sun...

hanging from the top of Okru moves just like the real one.

I saw it myself, and yet I couldn't believe...

what I was seeing.

Think about it.

The little figurines...

bow and move...

at each corresponding hour,

and then there's a moving sun.

Everyone in the room...

looked up and stared as if they had seen a ghost.

Grand Master.

This clock called Okru.

It has a water bowl.

It slowly becomes level while water drops into it,

but then when it's full, it tilts over to let the water out.

You mean the tilting bowl.

The tilting bowl?

Does it tilt over when it's full of water?

Yes.

It tilts to a certain angle when it isn't completely full.

It sits level when it's full,

and when it overflows,

it tilts over again until it's practically upside down.

Yeong Sil.

Why did you add a function that has nothing to do with time?

Yeong Sil.

Did you want to...

tell the King that...

Go too far and...

it will overflow and tip over.

Grand Master.

Were you trying to...

tell the King that...

too much power could have an adverse effect?

No, my lord.

I did not.

None of us noticed the message because we were all...

in awe of your new clock.

You could end up...

Grand Master.

I think...

you went too far.

Or maybe...

you got there too early.

I think...

you should...

take some time off.

I just warned Governor Lee here...

to watch out...

for petitions of impeachment from his opposition.

I would impeach you myself if I could...

just force you to take a break.

I'm saying this because I care for you.

I appreciate...

your concern.

But...

I do not...

have enough time.

(Hanyang)

Have you eaten?

Yes.

How about you, Grand Master?

I have. I rarely skip a meal.

The sun will set soon.

Yes.

I believe so.

I survived yet another day.

I already know what you came to tell me.

You can go home now.

I shall.

I think...

the time is nigh.

Your end, I mean.

Bye.

We shall meet again.

If something other than wind...

could move the weight at regular intervals,

that constant force...

could make time move at a constant pace.

With shorter intervals,

the division of time could be shorter and more detailed.

How could I do that?

My lord.

Jagyeokru took seven years,

and Okru took nine years to complete.

How long will it take...

to create a force other than wind to move the pendulum...

like the one in that bell?

This might be...

the last clock...

I ever make for Joseon.

I really...

do not have much time left.

My goodness.

Who...

You scared me.

It looks like...

you're on your way...

to becoming the richest man in Hanyang.

What?

You shouldn't creep up on someone like that.

You almost scared the life out of me.

Is this the store...

owned by the friend of the Grand Master...

who made and gave out these sundials?

I have a question.

I heard that he made...

a clock called Okru that's now in the Palace.

Is it true that there are figures of us commoners on it?

Did the Grand Master really make small figures of everyday people...

to remind the King that we are his people,

and he should care for us?

He must be a great man.

I would give anything just to...

see that man's face.

Are you both...

done talking?

If so,

look all you want.

This man standing right here in front of you is the famous...

Grand Master Jang Yeong Sil.

- What? - Really?

Oh, hello, Sir.

- Hello. - My word.

He's my friend.

Okru was completed barely a month ago,

and it is all people talk about.

Young nobles who should study Confucius...

are talking about learning science and crafts.

The King opened Okru to the public because...

he has a hidden agenda.

On hearing that the model of the sun...

is synchronised with the real sun,

young nobles everywhere...

wish to study those principles instead of...

focusing on Confucius' Classics.

They are studying the wrong topic altogether.

I wonder if this could change our world altogether.

It is my greatest fear.

Almost everyone has a clock.

I never thought this would be possible.

Have you seen...

this new clock?

I don't wish to.

I don't care if you do or not,

but you must not dismiss...

the problems it will bring.

What brought you here, Sir?

I requested many times that you visit me,

but you never did.

I had no choice but to...

bring my frail body here in person.

I apologise.

Jang Yeong Sil added something preposterous...

to this new clock he called Okru.

Yet no one in court seems to have found fault with that.

Joseon is falling and it's beginning at the centre of the Palace.

How dare you neglect...

your duty as an official.

Did you just say Okru?

In the 20th year of...

King Sejong's reign, Jang Yeong Sil made a new clock...

for a special chamber built within the Palace.

It was called "Okru", meaning "The King's Clock".

The clock...

combined a water clock that told the time,

and installations that showed...

the movements of certain celestial bodies.

It was the most advanced...

and comprehensive clock of its time.

Unfortunately, this clock was lost...

in a fire in 1553, during King Myeongjong's reign.

The principle behind Okru's movements...

are somewhat a mystery even to this day,

and experts are still studying them.

Jang Yeong Sil, how dare you.

How dare you!

He has lost his mind.

"Your Majesty."

"Never go too far for fear of unrest."

"You must be humble."

Is that what you wanted to tell the King?

Your Majesty.

I beg of you to punish me for neglecting my duty of...

serving you and your people.

I was aware that...

Jang Yeong Sil spoke blasphemy about the people being the skies,

and yet I did nothing to have him answer for his crimes.

Wind. Water.

Sun.

Moon.

Star.

Rice.

Barley.

Farming.

People.

(King Sejong, the fourth king of Joseon)

Lee Do.

(Lee Do)

Lee Hyang.

Lee Yu.

Parents.

- Are you done? - Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

If we go on compiling such words,

we will soon complete the commentary.

Let us take a break while we think of more words to add.

Oh, right.

Could you read out Choi Man Ri's petition?

My eyes hurt and I couldn't read it myself,

so I had it brought here.

Yes, Your Majesty.

(Shin Suk Joo, Seong Sam Mun)

"Your Majesty, the tilting bowl..."

"was added to Okru with the intent to insult you."

Keep going.

The bowl tilts when it fills with water.

This implies the monarchy could be overthrown,

and our principles will fall.

Jang Yeong Sil often says that the people are like the skies.

He must know well that the King is from the skies.

He says such preposterous things out of arrogance that he reached...

his position through his own studies.

No punishment we can give him will be enough for his treachery.

The people are the skies.

That echoes my sentiments exactly, because I believe...

my people are that important.

Would you say Yeong Sil has really become arrogant?

Your Majesty.

When I first saw Okru, I was fascinated by the tilting bowl.

I thought some would think just like Choi Man Ri did,

and that some would write a petition to complain of it.

As soon as I saw the tilting bowl,

I could have asked.

"Yeong Sil."

"What does that bowl of water mean?"

I did not ask because...

I wanted to figure out his intentions myself.

I felt like a student who had been given homework.

That petition...

just made me want to go and look at Okru.

Come with me...

and help me figure out what the tilting bowl means.

- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Call his doctor immediately.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

(Choi Yul)

(Bae Kang Chun, Oh Pil Gyo)

- Thank you, Sir. - Thank you.

Don't thank me.

Thank the King and the officials who gave you the titles.

- I didn't do anything. - Come on.

You did.

How could Pil Gyo and Kang Chun have received titles...

without your help?

You asked the King to do something.

Yul.

You will receive a title soon.

That's a lie.

The King's sick, so I won't get my chance.

He might die.

He's being silly.

Yul.

I will do everything I can to help.

You should worry about yourself.

You're only safe from the nobles...

because the King shields you.

I know how things work.

What?

Aren't you pleased that the King appreciates us?

Wait a little longer.

Can you do that?

What's that noise?

What's going on?

What are you all doing here?

We just want to see him.

Okay?

Quiet, everyone!

What exactly is it you want to say?

We're sick of slaving away for our masters.

All we want is for him...

to put in a good word for us.

Yeong Sil doesn't have the power to make all slaves commoners.

He doesn't care about us...

because he's doing so well.

Everyone knows he used to be a servant like us.

He's forgotten where he came from.

He's not like that at all.

Why is it so hard to see him? He never mingles with us anymore.

All we want is to get a chance to talk to him.

- Yes! - That's right.

Let us talk to him.

So what if you get to talk to him?

- We can... - What good will it do?

There he is. Grand Master!

Listen!

I've been a servant in the local civil court for the last 40 years.

Without my hard work during all those years,

the Gyeongbokgung Palace and those buildings...

wouldn't even have been built.

Grand Master, get me into the Office of Construction and Architecture.

I heard that getting in there...

is a sure way to get the servant status cancelled!

Stop! You can't do this!

Didn't you get your servant status cancelled recently?

You must be that guy, Oh Pil Gyo!

You little...

Look! Look at him.

He got out of his servant status literally yesterday,

and he's already yelling at us like this!

Jang Yeong Sil...

would, of course, look down on us. Don't you think so?

You used to walk around saying that the people are the skies.

Now, do you think that...

the people are not even as worthy as these straw shoes?

- You hypocrite! - Yeong Sil! Yeong Sil!

Gosh, hold on! Stop!

Goodness!

Look.

You're talking as if Yeong Sil has promised you...

to get your servant status cancelled!

How dare you cause a scene here like this!

- Shut your mouth! - Get lost!

Go and mind your own business, you jerk!

Gosh, Suk Gu...

Stop! Why are you hitting him? Why?

Grand Master!

You jerk!

Grand Master Jang.

His Majesty wanted me to deliver this letter to you.

He finally completed the alphabet!

Yes, he did.

But...

the King is...

very ill at the moment.

Pardon me?

Tell me. What is his condition like?

He needs to...

go away immediately to be put under concentrated treatment.

I suggested going to the thermal spring,

but he didn't want to go because he couldn't...

bear the thought of inconveniencing the people on the way.

Your Highness.

This time,

I'll make sure to persuade His Majesty so that he can...

go away and treat his illness.

(Prince Jinpyeong, later becomes King Sejo)

- Your Majesty! - Father!

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

Talking could...

take away the energy you need to heal and recover,

so I don't think...

you should talk right now.

Your Heaven's Clock.

I have been hearing so many praises on it.

Your Majesty.

I should have completed it sooner.

I apologise for the delay.

Your Majesty,

you have also completed the alphabet.

Joseon's own alphabet.

Yes.

My people will be able to use Joseon's alphabet...

instead of Chinese characters.

My dream is...

about to come true.

I had to...

work on making the alphabet secretly,

but I trust that everyone,

from the people to nobles, will be excited when it is promulgated.

As you can tell from this letter you're reading now,

it is very easy to learn. Don't you agree?

Yeong Sil.

After completing the alphabet,

I am realising that I do not have enough time left.

I still have so much to do.

Yeong Sil.

I know that people are questioning your tilting bowl.

Do not worry about it.

However,

I am curious as to why you made it.

I do not want to hear it from you though.

I want to find the answer myself.

Gosh, my head hurts.

I am actually...

having so much fun with trying to find out the reason you made it.

Yeong Sil, what are you working on?

Well.

These cogwheels are not fitting perfectly.

Knowing the treacherous idea behind the tilting bowl,

the King didn't question it?

What are these people?

How can they genuinely and fully trust each other?

I think that the Crown Prince is...

taking care of all governance related affairs now.

It looks like the King is working on something else.

Right.

The King is not the type to just sit around and do nothing.

What is he working on and what is he planning?

What plan will he come up with this time to destroy...

the nobility as well as this world that is led by Neo Confucianism?

With the public clock,

he has already given the people a tool to tell the time.

By supporting Jang Yeong Sil,

he has already threatened the status system.

What would it be?

What is it?

What makes the world change?

What is this?

It looks so bizarre.

Is this some sort of a code?

The Chinese character that means "to establish"?

Are they working on establishing something?

Gosh.

What do these letters mean?

(24th year of King Sejong's reign, Beijing, Ming)

So Lord Ju Tae Kang said that the systems and culture...

which cater to the officials are making Ming sink?

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

My colleague looked into it secretly,

and we confirmed that the royal relative, Lord Ju Tae Kang,

is inviting a few officials and ministers to his residence...

and telling them things that can shake up Ming's current systems.

He has been making defamatory remarks about the Great Empire,

saying that Ming is rotting like stagnant water.

He is also spreading ideas that trade and commerce must be...

encouraged and developed in order for the Empire to prosper.

The systems and culture that cater to officials' needs...

hinder the advancement in science...

and the development of craftsmanship.

Hence, they obstruct Ming's growth.

Tell me. What do you think about the royal relative, Ju Tae Kang?

Your Imperial Majesty.

I have always admired Lord Ju's great vision,

but he is just causing disorder at the moment.

This wind of danger is actually blowing from Joseon.

What is Joseon up to?

I think someone who knows Joseon well should explain it to you.

Your Imperial Majesty.

I hate to have to tell you this...

(Yoon Bong, eunuch of Ming)

I hear that Joseon has devices and gadgets that Ming does not have.

The King of Joseon looks at the "Heaven's Clock"...

named Okru every day.

From what I hear, the clock is so absolutely fascinating that...

it makes everyone who looks at it feel as if they are dreaming.

I will submit anonymous letters that I have collected to you.

The letters say that Jang Yeong Sil and the King of Joseon are...

fearlessly doing things that a vassal state should not be doing.

How about you let me handle this matter about Joseon?

This is happening because Lord Ju persuaded...

the former Emperor to allow Joseon to observe their sky 10 years ago.

Lord Ju might have treacherous intentions.

Or he could have made a secret agreement with Joseon.

Let's make the wooden beam longer so that horses can pull it better.

In addition, this wheel has to move more smoothly,

so we need to make some changes to it.

We'll also make the window bigger for better ventilation,

and we'll raise the ceiling so that he can feel more comfortable inside.

I see. If we can make these changes, the palanquin will be just perfect.

Yes.

If we can make this palanquin drawn by horses,

we'll be able to cut the number of the entourage in half.

That is correct.

His Majesty will be able to travel comfortably to the hot spring.

Every minister in the court is concerned about the King's health,

but I am convinced that Grand Master Jang is the only person...

who can come up with ideas like this to make what he needs.

That is not true.

All of us will work together to make this palanquin for the King.

All right. Let's get to work now.

Grand Master Jang, are you going to do the actual work?

Yes, I should.

Gosh, stop it.

People are saying that you try too hard to suck up to the King.

You're the Grand Master.

Let the guys under you do the actual work.

People can say whatever they want.

I came up with the design for the palanquin,

so I should work on it with them.

That way, I can fix things right away when any issues arise.

Let's go and find the right wood.

Grand Master Jang!

We received a message that His Majesty wishes to see you.

Okay.

What brings you here?

I have the answer.

Pardon me? Answer to what?

The King is working on making an alphabetic system for writing.

What are you talking about now?

We're using Chinese characters. Why do we need...

I arrived at this answer after thoroughly observing and...

investigating those who work closely with the King for several years.

Listen. You have to help me.

I do not really want it to happen,

but if we have no other choice,

we should eliminate the King and make the Crown Prince...

Are you here to persuade me to plot treason with you?

If I listen to you more, I'll have to report you.

So please stop now and leave.

How will you report me?

I neither started treason nor told you to kill the King.

Calm down, please.

Knowing how much you care about this country, Joseon,

I came to you thinking that I could trust you. Don't treat me this way.

Just like what you have been doing,

you should protect this kingdom, Joseon, with your sharp mind.

I will go my way.

You're here.

I was talking to Yeong Sil about...

compiling the history of Joseon's science.

Failing to record and preserve such information...

will make tradition vanish.

What are your thoughts on this, Sir Choi?

Your Majesty.

Please repeal that order.

Instead of pursuing the studies of science or other subjects,

we should now focus on following the teachings of the Classics...

and study the essence of them to serve our duties to the fullest.

The essence of the teachings?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Joseon must be on the path to achieve Neo Confucianist ideas now.

But the biggest obstacle Joseon has on that path...

is Master Grand Jang Yeong Sil in my opinion.

Did you say that Yeong Sil is our obstacle?

That is complete nonsense!

Science is a superficial subject.

It causes confusion in our pursuit of the Neo Confucianist ideas.

Enough!

As one of the royal advisor,

how could you be that narrow minded especially when you're so well read?

Science sheds light on how things in this world work.

It provides a strong foundation for the people,

their families and this country to move forward.

You think it provides a foundation.

If that's the case, I'd like to ask you something.

Your Majesty.

By any chance, are you making Joseon's own alphabet?

If you are actually making a new writing system,

an absolutely horrendous disaster will befall us.

It is an act that challenges and betrays the Classics.

You know that...

learning the Classics is impossible without knowing Chinese characters.

Betrayal?

That is complete nonsense.

If you think there is nothing wrong with it, why aren't you showing us?

That is...

I never betrayed anyone or anything.

I will never do anything like that.

You don't need to worry about anything.

Let's end this conversation here for today.

Your Majesty.

Please do not waste your time and energy on making letters...

that won't even be usable. Please take care of your health first.

So the King will leave for...

the hot spring in five days?

Take it.

Yes.

I clearly heard Yeong Sil saying it.

That's why he's rushing to complete the palanquin.

This house...

and everything in that pouch.

They're all yours.

They're not mine yet.

They will become mine five days later.

Since you quit your job as a craftsman...

and decided to become a merchant,

your maths skills have improved significantly, it seems.

I think that you'll be able to become a very successful merchant.

Thank you.

I want to become a wealthy merchant like Bul Jeong.

(Bul Jeong: A famous merchant who was once a servant)

I should have chosen this path sooner.

I could have become rich by now.

I regret meeting Yeong Sil.

I've wasted so much time.

It is...

not too late yet.

Go now.

You must do a good job...

just as we promised, okay?

Of course.

Someone once said that...

a world where no kings are needed...

will arrive when commerce grows.

(Joseon, near the border)

(Ju Bu Ryeong: Ju Tae Kang's daughter)

It has to fit right. Be careful.

It's done.

All right.

Lady Bu Ryeong!

Why are you here...

How long has it been?

You haven't changed at all.

Where is Lord Ju?

Oh, right. Is he at Mohwakwan now?

I came by myself.

Pardon me?

There is a message...

my father wanted me to deliver to you urgently.

Everyone, I have good news.

That nuisance, Jang Yeong Sil.

(Yu Cheol: Confucian lecturer of Sungkyunkwan)

He can finally be eliminated.

What do you mean by that?

Soon,

Ming's envoys will arrive in Joseon.

When they are here,

they will reprimand Jang Yeong Sil for making...

ludicrous things like the astronomical clock.

The King...

will not be able to protect him anymore.

That is great news, indeed.

This made my day.

(Ahn Gil Sang: Confucian lecturer of Sungkyunkwan)

Now we can breathe a bit.

(Border checkpoint in Uiju)

There hasn't been problems about it because the King of Joseon...

has sent tributes to the Emperor and kept good diplomatic relations.

My father did his best to help as well.

However,

the situation has changed now.

Letters and petitions that are written by those who are...

against you and the King have woken up the Emperor.

The situation is dangerous now.

You and...

the King of Joseon are in danger.

My father wanted me to tell you this.

You should...

This palanquin is for His Majesty the King.

We should check and double check everything.

Aren't I right, Yeong Sil?

Yul.

(Jang Yeong Sil)

This is a scary apparatus disguised as a clock!

Send Jang Yeong Sil to Mohwakwan!

The nobles are submitting petitions to banish Jang Yeong Sil from court.

The King won't be able to protect him this time.

Jang Yeong Sil.

I must take you to the Emperor. Let me take you to Ming.

Let me, please?

I think that the members of the nobility are up to something.

You should go to Ming.

Could you please...

come with me...

to Ming?