Original subtitles

If you live long enough, you see everything.

Is humble refusal too much to expect from a slave?

I'm afraid this calls for drastic measures.

I know you are confused right now.

You're confused and rattled, and that's why you didn't obey my order.

But remember this.

You and I, we share a dream.

And I need your support more than ever.

- Deputy Minister Yi. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Please take your men personally to the Astronomy Agency.

- And Assistant Chief Jeong - Yes, Your Majesty.

I need you to join the agency as well. Back Youngsil and me up on this.

You'll do that, won't you?

Wow, you're looking mighty spiffy!

Let us begin work.

Oh, and you know how to give orders now, too!

You got yourself a courtier's robe now. Is that it?

If you think we're going to follow your orders

just because you're wearing a high official's uniform, you're sadly mistaken.

Clothes do not change the lowly slave blood inside you.

You're all dismissed!

We're not working today!

Who says?

You guys are funny, you know that?

Please stay out of this, Director Choi.

Fine.

Go ahead and try!

You can all walk out on your job if you want, you'll have to get through me first.

That includes the two of you as well.

What do you mean?

Guards!

Obviously this robe doesn't mean anything to you,

but this is the robe of a 1st class 5th rank official

which is a rank higher than both of your ranks combined. You understand?

So subordination you just showed should not go unpunished.

Bastards. They're being such jerks.

They should be congratulating you, but instead they're jealous.

Hey!

Why do you look so glum?

Straighten up your shoulders, kid.

Wow, it suits you well, kiddo!

This... This uniform...

How long do you supposed I can keep it on?

Youngsil.

Can I last through the end of the day?

With that kind of an attitude, you won't last two hours.

Look at me.

Look straight into my eyes.

You don't want to lose this uniform, do you?

You want to keep this uniform if it's the last thing you do.

Right?

I'm glad you're all right.

I'm also glad you've been well without me.

What kind of a man is your King?

What kind of a man is he that

you'd risk my life to be loyal to him?

Are you angry?

No, I'm thankful.

I'm thankful that there is someone who recognizes you for the special person

you are and that he's a powerful man who can protect you.

I wonder how you will change this time when you go back.

Would you come see me again?

Come back and show me again what another magnificent

transformation you have undergone.

You will do that for me, won't you?

Don't talk like a wuss!

And don't even think about taking off this robe yourself.

Just obey the King and use your talent to build an astronomical instrument.

I'll take care of the rest.

I'll beat up every last bastard that gets in your way if I have to.

Sir...

I cannot, Your Majesty.

You know Jang Youngsil's talent better than anyone.

But I cannot obey an order that will shake the foundation of the state.

The scholars of the Hall of Worthies feel the same way, Your Majesty.

My man!

This country cannot stay intact destroying the caste system.

The King and his ministers exist to serve the people.

Am I wrong?

And survival of the people depends on three meals a day.

You and I have to work with every ounce of our strength for those three meals.

Are you telling me that I'm wrong?

Don't you know how important astronomical instruments are?

We will sacrifice the instruments if we must, but we cannot accept this.

Do you think you're making sense?

I'm just reminding you how serious and unreasonable this is.

Do not give the slaves false hope.

If you grant one slave a government post, all slaves will want one.

But that is not possible, and that will cause resentment and outcry.

From Mangyi and Mangsoyi to Manjeok

of Goryeo Dynasty,

we know the chaos rebellious slaves have caused this land.

Then you should also know that the government leaders were

largely responsible for their uprising.

But we will not be those kinds of leaders.

Are we not sure of ourselves that we will not be better?

But you're already on the wrong path.

You're willing to give up what's most important to this country

to preserve the caste system!

What are you waiting for?

Please go after him and talk him out of this!

Count me out. I don't want to dissuade him.

Before he is the King of this state, the man on the throne is my...

Just come along!

Do I look like a barking dog? I said come!

I thought liquor might give me the strength to go and stop the King,

but the more I drink the more clearheaded I become.

I never thought you and I would eye to eye on something like this.

You're not the only one who cares about the King like a son.

This is one fight he can't win.

I don't want to be the one to confirm his defeat.

He must be feeling so deeply alone...

Caught between a rock and a hard place-the future is what worries me.

It's going to be painful to watch...

What? The scholars are against this, too?

I am against it as well.

So take off that uniform and turn it in yourself.

What is the meaning of this?

Do I have to tell you?

How could you of all people tell him to take off his uniform?

He nearly died learning about the astronomical instruments.

You can't do this to him.

Enough!

I'd take off my own uniform for him for what he's accomplished.

I'm too well aware of the reality to be swayed by my emotions like you.

What?

Listen carefully.

You're causing His Majesty great harm by doing this.

The high ministers are talking about dethroning him over this.

Do you know that?

Is this true?

Fool!

A resignation?

I know Your Majesty won't change your mind.

So this is a threat.

Won't you consider it my loyalty to you?

It's a threat nevertheless regardless of where it comes from.

I know that you don't really want to resign.

You are making a mistake.

You must stop now to prevent further confusion.

How do you personally feel about this? Do you think I am wrong?

Never in history has a slave been granted such huge leap in status.

If you were trying to persuade me with that argument, you failed.

I don't believe there is a future for those who measure present with the past.

Your Majesty.

Bring me something else.

My ears will be open for another argument anytime.

And if I find that your argument is reasonable, I will follow your advice.

If you're going to find that persuasive argument,

don't waste your time on something like this.

Determination that will not be wavered not even by Hwang Hee's resignation...

It looks like we had better be prepared to bury our bones on the palace courtyard.

Slaves have no place in the government!

We cannot shake the foundation of the country!

Rescind the order!

We cannot follow a command that undermines the government!

A slave cannot be made a government official!

Rescind the order!

The King cannot undermine the order of the state!

A King who pays no heed to earnest council of his men is a tyrant!

May you be a King of benevolence!

- Secretary Yun. - Yes, Your Majesty.

I will administer the state from the Royal chambers and fight their protest

by fasting until they break up the demonstration and heed my command.

Your Majesty!

Fasting?

I am told he has not had a drink of water all day.

Oh no!

Perhaps you should go to him.

I'm afraid this will damage his health.

I think His Majesty sees Joseon's future in Jang Youngsil.

That's why he cherishes him like his child or even more so at times.

He is determined to protect the precious future.

No one can break him.

Granting a government post to a slave is an unprecedented action

that can't be found in any of the history books.

If they can be bought and sold for a price,

slaves can be regarded as much like domestic animals.

Then is my father wrong this time?

All I know is that if he continues to be stubborn,

those who seek to create confusion in the state can rear their ugly heads.

It's good to be around young people!

Why did you wish to see us?

Would you believe me if I said to discuss poetry?

We know that's not the case, so get to the point, sir.

We're not exactly comfortable in places like this.

Enunciating Chinese characters

"You can't hide an ice pick in your pocket"

I'll take that as a complement.

Superior man hides his emotions and learns from his enemies.

So you know that I consider you an enemy.

I like your spirit!

My lord, he's here.

We've been waiting, Your Highness.

"The enemy land never grows drunk, and

their children learn to ride by age of ten."

Gao Shi's Song of Ying Zhou.

Do the barbarians at the border country worry you?

Internal woes by the King's unreasonable actions will render them out of control.

"Who knows the man inside the mirror, who knew that my reflection and

I would sympathize each other?"

Zhing Jiuling.

I thought it might be appropriate repartee.

You can't give credence to fear of an old man who knows no remorse?

Why did you ask me here?

I do not care if you think I'm a barefaced old man

who is trying to push the King around.

But it's time for the Royal House to step in.

I want a working government...

How about you men?

If the government is paralyzed over one lowly slave, who will assume

responsibility for the safety of our borders and the welfare of our people?

I want to get your help as well if I can.

Won't you consider this a lesson in politics?

If there is a common goal, an enemy can be a friend. That's politics.

Can't we find a way to get trough this together?

Jo Malseng has a candid side I didn't know about.

What are you going to do?

I don't think we should join the demonstration just yet.

Then...

I think I'll rally the Royal Academy and the Confucius scholars across the state

since what His Majesty fears most is public sentiment.

I think this meeting and the issues we confronted today will be a turning

point that decides the fate of Joseon.

I guess it could appear that way.

If heaven forbid, Your Highness.

If the King shakes the foundation of the country and causes great

damage to the authority of the Royal House,

who are we to discuss the preservation of the state with?

What are you getting at?

I'm sure you can find an answer to that question.

Enunciating Chinese characters

"The man in the mirror is not the man in front of the mirror."

This is a quote that

urges one to reflect on himself, but it can also be a regretful cry

of a man who has failed to realize his cherished dream.

Sir.

This is why the more you relish poetry, the more poignant they become.

I heard you met with Jo Malseng.

He is not a man you want to be close to.

Your dream, Mother. Is it still alive?

What do you mean?

Once you dream a dream, especially if it involves ambition for power,

it's hard to let it go.

What... are you thinking about?

Do you think Prince Kyoungnyeong is a kingly material?

Kingly material?

It's too soon to think about that.

Then why?

I met with him just in case the throne gets left empty.

Perhaps I should get some real flowers instead of painting them.

Fragrant scent of chrysanthemums would really fill this room with autumn.

You sound so carefree.

I got all the cards I need.

Is there another card?

In two weeks, Ming envoy is coming.

What would happen

if they found out that Joseon is building anastronomical instrument?

Sir!

The Ming Emperor will try to dethrone the King even if we don't want it.

It's a great shame.

You are indeed an early bird like they say.

Your Majesty, what brings you at this early hour?

I was so hungry.

I came to get a few books to take my mind off of it.

I was trying to sneak in and sneak out

before the ministers start their protest again, but you caught me.

Are you holding up all right, Your Majesty?

No.

I've only fasted two days, but my eyes are dim.

I've been here for an hour because I can't read the book titles.

Would you find these books for me on the list for me?

This should be a breeze for you since you're an expert on law and economics.

I have this idea.

Should I have the protesting ministers fast as well?

I feel so feeble having fasted only two days.

I can only imagine the pain of those most unfortunate who starve

in the drought and end up dying.

So why not make the high ministers starve, too?

Then they will know why I'm going to the length of

putting a courtier's robe on a slave to acquire our own calendar science.

I'm afraid getting the gluttonous high ministers to starve may be

a task more challenging than putting a courtier's robe on a slave.

You're probably right.

- Your Majesty. - Yes?

Are you fighting this fight for the astronomical instrument alone?

No, I suppose it's more for Jang Youngsil.

The world is too unfair for him.

But he was born a slave and that's his fate.

I believe what you are is more important than where you come from.

It's unfair to have your fate decided at birth.

If fate was decided at birth, I shouldn't be here either.

I am the third son, remember? I was not born to be a King.

You don't agree.

... Forgive me.

It's a difficult problem.

Thank you.

Come inside. Why are you just standing there?

How did you know I was here?

I'm the shaman in this town. Remember?

Even if I weren't a shaman,

what mother wouldn't know when her child is in the house?

Mothers just know by their intuition when their child is near.

My, how handsome you've become!

I'm sorry...

What do you mean? Don't say things like that.

Nothing good can come from staying too close to a lowly mother.

Have dinner with me before you go.

By the way, how is Minister Jo?

Mother, if...

If I said I wanted to give up my post and come live with here and take care of you,

how would you feel?

Why? Is Minister Jo treating you badly?

Does he mistreat you because of my lowly status?

No, it's not that. I just...

Then don't even think about things like that and hold on to Minister Jo.

Okay?

What did the Royal physician say?

His Majesty is growing weaker, and he's afraid he might take ill...

Take ill?

Then he won't be able to take a trip out of the palace with me!

A trip?

I was just going to...

Hound Father about taking you on a trip?

How could you think about a trip when Father might be ill?

Today is Grandmother's birthday? Why didn't you tell me sooner?

I shouldn't have to tell you at all.

Mother's been upset all morning...

I wanted to make her happy by taking Father to visit Grandmother.

I had food prepared by the Royal Kitchen and everything.

You can still go.

I'll arrange it so that you can.

Are you here to see the astronomical instrument?

No.

If you want to see the stars, you have to come later when it's dark.

I'm not interested in the stars.

From now on, I'm wont even look up at the sky.

I'm the Crown Prince and I'm going to he the fifth King,

but I'm not going to mind the stars of Joseon at all.

I'm going to ban everything!

Why?

Because then you won't need to wear that courtier's robe!

Does it upset you to see me in this robe?

My father is sick because of you. You know that?

And today is my grandmother's birthday,

but she can't even have a birthday meal because of you.

And that's going to break my mother's heart...

What do you think you are?

My grandmother is a slave when she wasn't even born a slave.

Why are you in a courtier's robe?

You're a born slave.

You can be bought and sold, so you're not even a free man.

You're like an animal, so why?

Why do my mother and father have to be sick and sad because of you?

Why? Why?

All right.

I heard you.

So please don't cry.

I heard you...

This is an order from the Crown Prince.

You're a slave, so don't wear that courtier's robe.

You just can't!

Rescind your order! Rescind your order!

What does this mean?

As you and the ministers wish,

I'm returning this courtier's robe to His Majesty.

So would you please tell the ministers to stop pressuring the King?

Tell him to leave.

He is refusing to leave until you take the robe back.

Punk...

After all that I said about not giving up...

It looks like we're going to get through this hump.

Princess, it's raining. We should get out of the rain.

No, I'm okay. Father should be here any moment.

How should I punish you?

How should I punish you for betraying my trust and disobeying me?

Take this robe back.

A slave has no right to wear a courtier's robe.

Do you think taking this robe back will serve as a punishment?

Princess, you must return to the palace.

If you should take ill...

No, I don't want to. This is where I'm supposed to meet Father.

What if I miss him?

Princess...

I'm going to wait here.

Your Majesty, why?

You mustn't do this. You must preserve your health.

This child is more important than my health.

We need him healthy and strong!

Your Majesty!

My tenure on the throne will last thirty years at most.

But the astronomical instruments and different devices you will

create using your talent will live on for hundreds of years

and serve as a pillar that keeps this country standing.

Your Majesty...

I cannot give you up.

Because if I do, I will belosing a valuable asset today and

our descendants will miss out on great civilization and enlightenment.

I cannot do such great disservice for our descendants.

Your Majesty...

Hang in there with me.

We must prevail whatever it takes.

Please don't turn me away.

Why is he being so stubborn?

Do we have no choice now but to join hands with Jo Malseng?

Ming will have to know. There is no other choice.

Is Jo Malseng the one you want?

Can we get through this if we get Jo Malseng out of the way?

Are you trying to tell me you can get Jo Malseng out of the way?