Original subtitles

Type Foundry, Gyeongbok Palace, Fall 1435

Gabin type looks cleaner than Gyeongja type, sir.

This kid Youngsil here had pretty big hand in developing the Gabin type.

No? Are you trying to take full credit for it alone?

He's a deputy commander.

When will you stop calling him "kid"?

That's exactly what I said.

Be quiet, and take the books and hand them out, kid.

I'm not a kid.

What did you say, kid?

I'm leaving. Here I go!

The books you had ordered printed.

Phonetic systems...

It's an unfamiliar field so reviewing it will take some work.

Are you going to review all of these books personally?

I might have to review ten times as many hooks.

Why aren't you putting the Hall of Worthies to work?

I sent them copies of the phonetic books for now,

so I'll wait and see how they respond.

Say nothing of my plan to anyone yet.

Did you sent them to the East palace as well?

His Majesty has sent books.

Take it to the East Palace.

I know you have a lot on your mind, but...

Your Highness...

I don't know what he's going to do.

All he ever does he attend his lectures and this.

He doesn't eat, he doesn't sleep...

What's the reason this time?

It's not something I can say unless the Crown Prince tells you first.

Ogeun.

There's no way I can tell you.

What did Ogeun tell you?

He's a faithful servant. He won't divulge his master's secrets.

That's a relief.

Why are you making a sword?

Maybe I want to go fight in a war.

Your Highness.

That'll please the King.

The Crown Prince that adamantly opposed the military campaigns

leads the battle himself...

Please go back to the East Palace.

How long do you suppose this sword can protect me on a battlefield?

Two hours, perhaps?

Read the books here if you don't want to go back to the East Palace.

What for?

His Majesty has distributed these books to all of his men from the scholars of

the Hall of Worthies to the officials at the Conference Hall.

There has to be a reason for it.

I don't want to know what that is.

When will you stop this childish grumbling?

I'm not grumbling.

Your Highness.

I am unworthy.

I don't deserve to know what's on the King's mind.

Because...

Because I'm... unworthy of the future throne.

Quietly!

Walk softly and quietly.

He's like a nagging mother-in-law.

Yi Sunji!

I got new books!

Brand spanking new books hot off the press!

New books?

I knew you'd be happy.

I'm checking for misprints, so I can kick you out if you've made a mistake.

It's great having a type foundry in the palace.

We get new books as quickly as they come.

But these books are all on the same subject.

"Four Tones of Chinese Phonetics", "Medieval Chinese Rhymes",

"Phonetic Rhymes in Central China", "Hongwu Rhymes".

Why are we looking at books on phonetics?

Yes, you're right.

I wonder why His Majesty has suddenly printed these books on phonetics.

Phonetics?

Not on cannons, not on doctrines, but on phonetics?

Perhaps he wants us to teach them at the Royal lessons.

Phonetics in Royal lessons?

That's ridiculous.

What could His Majesty be up to this time?

Perhaps there is a hidden code in these books about the new weapons technology.

He distributed phonetics books to everyone after his incognito travel in the city?

What could this mean?

Where is Director Yun Hwe?

He is yet to enter the palace?

Why?

I send for him at his home, but was told he did not come home last night.

Sir! Director Yun!

Sir!

Oh, he reeks of alcohol!

Sir!

Director Yun.

Director Yun!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Were you here drinking all night?

I was just going to have one little drink, but...

Royal Attendant.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Clear the room. Clear the attendants outside as well.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty...

Don't you know how anxious I am?

We're talking about creating a whole new writing system only for Joseon.

Does this look like a child's play to you?

Of course not.

It's a daunting task that may not be achievable in both of

our lifetimes combined.

Then how can you be negligent like this?

I will not tolerate this. You will be punished.

What is this?

Haven't you ever seen a wine cup before?

I know it's a wine cup, but...

Take it.

But we don't even have any wine.

You are to have no more than three glasses of wine a day using this cup.

Oh, Your Majesty, you are so humorous sometimes.

This is not a joke.

I am Yun Hwe, Your Majesty.

Three cups of wine in that dinky little thing won't

even wet my throat let alone my liver.

Do you need a more severe punishment?

A more severe punishment?

I can order you to stop drinking all together.

All together?

I'll issue a prohibition order across the state if that's what it will take

to stop you from drinking.

You wouldn't.

I will write the decree night now if you don't believe me.

You can issue it yourself.

All right. I'll obey your command.

Three glasses. I'll drink three glasses a day only.

What are you doing here?

Fighting a fight to stretch my rights as far as I can within my

limit as set by the King.

A fight?

A desperate struggle to acquire even one more drop of wine doesn't

it bring tears to your eyes?

You sure are a man of great diversity.

What is this made of? I can't get it to stretch out.

Perhaps it needs heat.

You're here early.

It's the Queen's birthday.

What do you expect?

Why are you in those clothes?

I didn't know we had to do the cooking ourselves.

You can't attend the dinner to give her good wishes since you're a concubine.

The least you can do is to contribute in the preparation of the dinner.

Forgive me.

A birthday dinner?

See if you can cancel it.

Your Highness...

Do you think I deserve it?

I can't even solve a problem for my son.

How can I enjoy a birthday dinner?

Canceling it will only cause rumors and speculations.

I am going to ignore it.

Pardon me, Your Highness?

Forget about the plan you and Royal Attendant had.

Sosang and Danji, don't hurt the two girls.

But...

There is no reason that justifies hasty handling precious lives.

I will figures out another way.

Did you hear me?

Yes, Your Highness.

Forget about it?

It's only fitting that the Queen should issue such order.

Then...

But it is one order I cannot obey.

I will assume responsibility for everything.

Escort Han.

You have to be rational about this. Fate of the Royal House is on the line.

That's exactly what we are here to preserve.

Is everything set?

Send them to Royal Chef Kim's house.

Everything will work itself out.

An errand?

Go to Royal Chef Kim's house and bring back the dried goods he has ready.

No.

Little wench! How dare you defy your superior's order!

If I shouted out why right here, more than

a few people will become very embarrassed.

We know that Royal Chef Kim's house is our deathtrap.

What are you talking about?

What in heaven's name...!

If you do as much as touch a hair on our head,

these drawings will be circulated all over the city.

How dare you!

Remember, Madam.

You're the one that started this.

Twenty years have passed since we entered this palace together.

You've been so patient with this awful husband

who never remembers your birthday.

Oh, Your Majesty...

I would've forgotten again if it weren't for the Crown Princess.

I owe you for remembering the Queen's birthday and cluing me in.

You are most kind, Father.

It's a daughter-in-law's duty to remember her mother-in-law's birthday.

Why are you so quiet?

Is there something wrong?

No, Father.

We're just embarrassed we didn't remember first.

Mother, I wish you happy birthday.

Be healthy and well for many years to come.

I wish you happy birthday, Mother.

If you really want to make her happy, ease her worries.

Give her a Royal grandson.

You will be filling her lonely days with joy and removing a national concern.

You must remember as well, Crown Princess.

Won't you help us, Father?

His Highness is always busy with state affairs and rarely has time for family.

Oh dear, she doesn't miss a beat.

I guess this is not a day of celebration for the Queen's birthday

but a day of reprimand for the King.

Crown Princess.

What is this audacious behavior?

Oh dear, such short temper.

There is no need to get upset.

Crown Princess is right.

I'm sorry, Father

But I don't know what to say.

I must push the Crown Prince to work even harder.

He is the future King.

He will have many things to attend to.

And at time you will feel neglected.

But know that his heart is with you and give him your support and understanding.

Would you do that for me?

Yes, Father.

Public distribution of the codes of laws?

But first they must be translated.

Translated?

I'd like the Hall of Worthies to translate the laws including the Great Ming Code into

Idu under the Crown Prince's supervision since Idu will be much easier for the

common people to learn than Chinese.

Then perhaps you can develop an easier writing system.

Idu is for clerks and petty officials. We can't use it at the Hall of Worthies.

Then perhaps you can develop an easier writing system.

What do you mean?

Idu may be easier than Chinese, but it's just as daunting to learn

from the commoner's perspective.

I don't think we should be exchanging jokes right now.

What makes you think I am joking?

How does it look?

I don't think any of them have ever

conceived of developing a new writing system.

It'll be a giant step just to get them to agree to translate the laws.

I must oppose translating the laws, Your Majesty.

I oppose as well.

It's dangerous to give the people power to toy with the law.

Is it bad to try and reduce the number of

people who are getting victimized and abused because they don't know the laws?

Yes, it is.

Did you forget what His Majesty experience in his incognito travel?

If he had not been there, an innocent man would've been executed.

That is no reason for the people to know the laws.

The problem was with a misguided magistrate.

It should be solved with tightened discipline and more careful selection of local officials.

What's more,

if you arm the loud-mouthed and ignorant people with knowledge of the law,

they will become even more difficult to govern.

People are whom I serve as my god.

Why are you so condescending?

There's a problem with overestimating them as well.

"The people's voice is the voice of God."

It's a nice quote, but it's a dream that doesn't reflect the truth.

Isn't it our job to turn that dream into reality?

Your Highness.

I will translate the laws.

If we teach the laws to the people, the country will run rampant with

those trying to circumvent and abuse the laws.

People are good in nature.

That's the first thought you have to throw out the door to be a politician.

Those are Mencius's words.

Doctrine of innate goodness? I don't believe in that.

The market square?

It's a place where selfishness and greed smolders like a volcano.

Controlling that is what politics is all about.

Don't you think I know that?

Then it's only fitting that this order is withdrawn.

That is all the more reason why we must teach them the laws.

What I want ultimately is for each and every citizen of this country to become

political subjects who can control that greed and ambition on their own.

And the first step is to give them the power to protect their own rights.

25 years since the day I stood here sounding the Petitioner's Drum.

A lot has changed since then.

But like you said, the city had not changed much at all.

Translating the code of laws may I take that as an answer to my request?

Does this mean you're going to slacken the reins

on military campaigns and focus on domestic affairs?

Kings have no luxury to make hasty decisions.

Domestic affairs, economy, defense, foreign affairs,

there is not one thing I can neglect.

But you can prioritize.

Autonomy within alliance or autonomy based on self-sufficiency,

that, too, can't be decided in haste.

It's an issue to take time and fiercely argue about.

Aren't you angry with me?

Why should I be?

I've opposed your policies again and again.

Continue to oppose until you understand why I'm enforcing those policies.

That is the art of politics.

By the way, Grandfather.

What do I do if Father and I disagree on something like you and he did?

You have to assert yourself.

But if I do...

Your father will love you just the same.

The scholars won't even support translating the code of laws.

The high ministers oppose as well.

If you announce your intent to develop a whole new writing system now,

the entire Royal court will be up in arms.

More importantly, we must secure the Six Forts in the frontier before

Ming government is restructured and stabilized around the new Emperor.

Oondu Mountain Fort Hweryeong, Hamgil Province

This report is in regard to reclaiming the frontier.

We have successfully suppressed the Odoli Tribe and took back Hweryeong.

Hweryeong Protectorate expands 35 miles southeast and 8.15 miles west.

I will give my life to the cause of building a secure border along Tuman River.

What is it?

A secret messenger is here from Mongolia.

A Mongolian messenger?

They want to make a deal with Joseon.

It looks like we might be able to catch two birds with one stone.

Two birds?

Contact Beijing and tell them to let the information slip.

AD 1435, Beijing

Mongolia and Joseon in secret contact?

According to my sources, they've been in contact with Japan as well.

Mongolia... and Japan as well?

This could be an alliance of barbarians against Great Ming.

Which do you want to suppress first between Joseon and Wang Zhen?

Aren't you a member of Dongchang?

I would rather be called the Emperor's faithful servant.

Hall of Eastern Peace, Hanyang A guesthouse for Japanese envoys

Shogun will be very pleased.

If you take me to Japan, I can give him gifts far better than this.

You want to come to Japan?

Yes!

But you're the son of Hall of Worthies Scholar Shin Jang.

Let's not talk about that.

Getting into Hall of Worthies is a greatest honor for a Joseonese scholar.

Why don't you follow your father's footsteps?

Boy, they sure ask a lot of questions.

Are you going to take me or not?

I'm asking because this is strange.

I think it's strange, too.

What brings you here, Grandfather-in-law?

I hope it isn't to say goodbye to a grandson -in-law who's running away to Japan.

Grandson, let's go somewhere for a drink.

Come on. Let's go!

Stop thief! Stop him!

Stop thief!

Sir!

- My lord! - My lord!

Grandfather!

Grandfather, wake up! Help!

Grandfather!

You're not supposed to run around! The physician said liver cancer is...

How was my performance?

Good enough to join the theater, right?

How could you scare me like that! You had me scared half to death.

But I caught you, didn't I?

Now, are you going to come quietly, or do I have to drag you?

Hall of Worthies?

You want me in the Hall of Worthies?

Who taught you Chinese and Japanese?

You.

I taught you those languages for a reason.

Then I won't use Chinese and Japanese anymore.

I can make a living with my Mongolian, Arabic and Vietnamese skills alone.

If I may remind you, I mastered these languages on my own.

That's why His Majesty needs you.

Someone with extraordinary linguistic talent in both written and spoken language.

That's what we need for this work.

Grandfather, I'm not going to do it no matter what you say.

I'm not going into government service,

and I'm certainly not going into the Hall of Worthies.

Why not?

Because I am angry with the King.

I'm angry with the King for working my father and you day and night.

What do you get for it?

What did you get in return except an illness that's more painful than death to endure?

Sit back down for a minute.

I'll pay for the drinks.

But this is the last time since alcohol is poison for your liver.

Wait!

Grandson!

Prime Minister.

Books on phonetics, code of laws translations, and now you're trying to

recruit a man with exceptional talent in foreign languages.

The King is pursuing another revolution. Isn't he?

I guess someone is finally answering the King's call.

Create a new writing system?

I want to give my people a weapon to defend themselves.

That weapon will only end up threatening the government.

Do you want the government and the people to become enemies?

I want the government and the people to grow together.

The officials will say you want direct communication with the

people to suppress their power.

Political power is useless unless it is used for the people.

The high ministers will not want to use the writing system that the common people use.

Do you know why?

Because literacy is their power and their vested right.

Thus no one will concur with your idea, and no one will support your cause.

Then I will pursue the creation of a new writing system alone.

I cannot back down even if it means my life.

Your Majesty...

My father desperately wanted to abdicate his throne because he

wanted to solidify the foundation of this government in his lifetime.

I will consider creation of our own writing system to be my life's mission

because I want the people to become the political subject

not just for now but for thousands of years to come.

Now I want to hear your answer.

Prime Minister, what is politics to you?

Why did you get out of Dumundong alive

and why did you answer my call to service after years of hermitage?

No! This can't be happening!

No!

You must leave Dumundong now, sir.

A scholar is nothing without his purpose.

You'd abandon the people to preserve your purpose?

Where would the people look to for hope?

Prime Minister, what is politics to you?

Why did you get out of Dumundong alive?

Did you wish to see me?

Forgive me for my audacity, Your Majesty.

Does this mean you are ready to give me your answer?

I thought this might be an appropriate place.

If the city square was your inspiration point for entering politics Dumundong was mine.

Politics is not for the strong and the wealthy.

Politics is for the minority and the weak.

Creating a new alphabet for the common people may be the first step.

It'll be a rough road.

And it will be a lonely road since you will be on your own

with no support from anywhere.

It might even be an impossible dream unachievable in your lifetime.

But I do want to give it a shot.

Permit this unworthy man to dream your great dream with you.

Grandson! What happened?

What brought me to you?

Passionate desire, Your Majesty.

You won't be able attend to all state affairs working on the

creation of the new writing system.

Regency?

He is turning over prerogative power on all government affairs

excluding military and personnel affairs to the Crown Prince,

so we must quickly restructure ourselves around the Crown Prince.

Why this sudden decision?

It's time for the Crown Prince get some real lessons in being a King.

Regency?

Phonetics books, laws translations, and now regency...

Something is going on.

What could the King be up to?

Type Foundry

After you.

The delivery room where a new writing system will be born!

Is it because of the regency?

Your face is full of fear.

It's deciding the fate of the people.

Fear is normal.

That fear will guide you into the right direction.

You will do just fine.

Please take a break.

I want us to start over.

Nothing will change anything.

I want to try.

If you tell me to be patient, I will, no matter how long it takes.

Then could you share your heart with me someday?

May I harbor hope that you might?

I'm asking for your mercy.

What do you mean?

If it's at all possible, I want to live as the Crown Princess,

as a man's wife and as the mother of this country.

It's too late for that.

Sosang.

You used us like toys and now you want us to get lost?

I'm begging you.

We'll leave if that's what you really want.

But both you and your high and mighty husband will suffer dearly.

What do you mean by that?

Ugly rumors about you will be spread all over the country.

We've already crossed the point of no return.

It's better to give up false hope.

There is something I must tell you, Father.

At this late hour?

Is everything all right with the Crown Prince?

Depose me from the seat of the Crown Princess.

Depose you?

I have had an illicit affair with a palace maid.