Original subtitles

The sky.

The earth.

The people.

The people...

Men and women...

Old and young...

They laugh.

That sound.

It hurts.

It stings.

Happy.

Overjoyed.

Sad.

Tear-jerking.

My people have a beautiful spoken language that takes after their hearts.

Soft sounds of Joseon...

Those sounds are different from Chinese.

Since the language sounds so different...

What do you miss so much?

Songs, I miss songs!

Sounds that's impossible to express in Chinese script no matter how you try.

... How could it be written in Chinese script?

What's more, Chinese is too complex with too many characters.

You must learn more than 2.000 characters in order to begin

transferring your thoughts on paper.

So my people...

How can we when we don't know how to write?

Confirm it? How when I confirm if when can't read?

So my people are always suffering.

But I see hope in their suffering.

What brings you to me?

Great desire, Your Majesty.

A great desire.

It will be a rough road creating a new script.

A dream that is daunting...

But I do want to give it a shot.

... but cannot be given up.

Your Majesty, I think were still dreaming a wonderful dream.

I found men to share that great dream of creating our own script.

Five years have passed...

... and that dream is still yet to be realized, but it's still very much alive.

AD 1441, Gyeongbok Palace

Southeast wind.

The wind direction has changed?

It's southeast wind.

It's been continuing for four days now and the humidity level is very high,

so chances are we will have a heavy rain soon.

But we just had a monsoon and harvest is around the corner.

How could this be?

What is the astronomical prediction on this?

I said step aside.

Stay out of your superior officer's way!

I'm just doing my job, sir.

When I first entered government service, I had to tip-toe around my seniors, and...

You didn't even dare step on your superiors' shadows?

Why, you little!

I know that's a lie.

Oh, just be quiet and get out of here!

I must set it to Buwol and Nechun to see whether or not a heavy rain is coming!

I need it set to the Ursa Minor, boy!

I thought you didn't like being called "boy", boy!

Why is everyone meddling in my business today?

Would you assume responsibility if the country is flooded

because of your negligence?

See? What did I tell you?

You are before the Crown Prince, men.

Unusual energy is emanating from the Ursa Minor, Your Highness.

Stop wasting your time on the unimportant.

Forecasting weather is your job right now.

But it's really odd.

I advise you again to focus on your given duty.

The sooner we have our own calendar

science the sooner we can have a more effective flood control.

- But. - No but.

Focus your efforts on the calendar science.

Calendar science?

Joseon is attempting to decipher the stars and create their own calendar science?

Yes.

What proof do you have?

Confess!

I don't know anything!

What did you give Joseon in exchange for the self-striking water clock?

Ganui!

Emperor's right to rule the Heavens...

You turned that over to the Joseonese.

No!

Winter Solstice Mission?

Me on the Winter Solstice Mission to Ming?

It is the recommendation from the Ministry of Rites.

Isn't it too much to ask of an ailing old man with back pain?

The situation doesn't look very good over there.

Are you operating secret agents I don't know about?

Ming is suddenly replacing their envoys from Hanlin scholars to Imperial eunuchs.

What else could this mean?

Rumor has it Wang Zhen has won sole trust of the young Emperor.

There are few men I want you to take on this mission.

Perhaps you can come up with an acceptable excuse for them as well.

Accompany you on the mission?

It's an academic exchange with Hanlin Academy.

But Hanlin has repeatedly snubbed our request.

What changed?

Prince Anpyeong.

Prince Anpyeong's calligraphic style has become hugely popular in Ming.

They are allowing two scholars to join him on his visit.

Who would you be taking?

Well.

Let us make recommendations.

We will choose good men who will not harm the Hall of Worthies' reputation.

No.

My brother wants to take Shin Sukji and Sung Sammun.

Isn't that right?

- Not a bad choice. - I don't approve.

Why not?

Honor and reputation of the Hall of Worthies, of course.

Honor and reputation?

Both are much too eccentric.

One is crazy about foreign languages,

and the other is poetry, calligraphy and arts fanatic.

That's perfect.

The Emperor is a still in his teens and he also likes the arts.

If they become friends, nothing could be better for Joseon-Ming relationship.

Don't you agree?

Yes, I do.

But they are both young scholars

so please keep an eye on them so they do not make mistakes.

Naturally.

Don't you smell anything?

What do you mean?

The King hasn't given up on the creation of a script.

Sung Sammun may just be a sideshow, but if he is sending Shin Sukju, there is a reason.

Stop this.

It's been five years for heaven sakes.

You've been digging and digging for the last five years,

but you've come up with nothing.

The King is just quietly

growing older and weaker after turning over the state affairs to his son.

That's what's even more suspicious.

The King is not the strongest man physically,

but his will and mental strength is greater than two of us combined.

If he's getting weaker like he appears to be, that's all the more reason to be suspicious.

This is the Hall of Worthies!

The King hand picked each one of us

and hung the sign on the door himself to gather wisdom.

Remember, Choi Manli.

We are supposed to share our wisdom with the King, not question him or weaken him.

Ahh! It's already nine o'clock.

Aren't you going home, sirs?

Nine already?

Let us call it a day, sir.

Are you finished with your research?

That bell has nothing to do with our schedule.

The bell does not ring for us until we know in our heart that our day's work is done.

This is the Hall of Worthies.

Where are you going?

We're going to home.

Didn't you hear what Councilor Choi said?

I'm done with my work.

My bell has been ringing in my heart since seven.

Mines been ringing since noon from my tummy.

Why don't we go to Gwangtongyo Performance House?

Gwangtongyo?

I heard they have a hot new gisaeng!

Sounds great!

- You pay this time. - But aren't you the one inviting me?

Boy, listen to you!

Fine, it's my treat.

He's waiting for you.

Meet with Hanlin Scholar Huang Zan?

We've been studying different languages including Chinese and

Joseonese over the past five years.

It has been to determine and understand distinctive attributes

of our sounds of speech.

But our research has been at a stalemate for over a year.

It's because nobles mostly use the language,

but over 40% of our vocabulary have Chinese origin.

If we focus our study on phonology, especially on vowel and consonant,

we might find something to build on.

I do know that Huang Zan is a scholar who has an opinion of his own about

the "Hongwu Rhymes".

But quite a few are suspicious about us greenhorns being sent on this mission.

Perhaps it would be wiser to wait a while and secretly contact Huang Zan.

We can't.

If Wang Zhen is indeed rising in power,

close exchange with Hanlin will become no longer possible.

What's more, Huang Zan's position is vulnerable.

Huang Zan and Wang Zhen are political enemies after all.

I'd like you to complete the research on vowel and consonant sound on this trip.

This is a dream come true!

This is an auspicious sign!

The Prince Star of the Ursa Minor has been shining brightly since last

night and even brighter tonight!

Prince Star: The last star of the Little Dipper

The Prince Star?

Your Highness!

What is it?

Big news!

Big news?

No, I mean there's great news!

My man.

Your Grace!

Labor?

The Crown Princess has gone into labor?

Yes, Your Highness.

At last a child's cry will be heard from the Crown Princess's palace!

It's been so long!

Where is the Crown Prince? He should be the first to know.

He should already know.

Congratulations, Your Highness!

It is rare for the Prince Star to shine so brightly.

A royal grandson is certain to be born, Your Highness.

A royal grandson...

I won't stay long.

Forgive me, but it is against tradition of the palace.

Human feelings are more important than tradition.

I agree with the Crown Prince.

Go on in. It'll give her strength to see you.

It's all right. Don't get up.

I hope he is a gentle child who won't put you through too much pain.

Are you scared?

The child has been gentle in my womb.

He takes after you, so he won't bring me too much pain.

I'm leaving my heart here with you. So know that you're not alone.

The Royal House of Joseon will disappear from history.

You are responsible for their possession of astrological knowledge.

This is a setup!

Enter.

Who did traitor Huang Zan deal with in Joseon?

Do you want to end up like him?

It's Jang Youngsil.

Jang Youngsil?

He stole the Emperor's divine right and delivered it to the King of Joseon.

Then he must be Sejong's most treasured subject.

Yes.

Kill him and stripe Sejong of his honor.

Capture Jang Youngsil at once!

I will make him pay for the crime by spaying the Imperial Palace with his blood!

I heard you bought glass from merchants of India.

What is it going to be used for?

I must first see if it's a feasible project.

Is it something the King needs?

I though you might catch on.

Please tell me what I can do to help.

You have enough on your plate already. Don't you?

But...

I will ask for your help if I need it even if you don't want to help.

You look tired. You are pushing yourself too hard.

It's just age catching up to me.

I see.

Then I shouldn't stop you.

Is there something you wish to command.

A perfect flood control system?

First I'd like to find a way to accurately measure rainfall in and around the city.

If we can accurately estimate the rainfall and compare it

with the water level of Cheonggae creek,

we can better prepare and prevent floods.

Floods are not natural disasters.

They are man-made disasters caused by those who fail to read the Heavens.

And it is your job to prevent them. Now go out to the town halls.

We did the same thing last year.

The results varied so much.

How can we do this? How can we accurately measure rainfall?

What are you doing, little boy?

You should pee here, too, mister.

Your Highness, that thing is filthy!

Pee in it.

My father says the more pee we can collect the more fertilizer we'll have.

Your Highness...

That's it!

That's it. That's how we can do it!

My father's going to kill you!

You better fill that bucket back up with pee or else!

Why is she having such difficult labor?

Maybe the baby hasn't turned?

No, that is not the problem.

Push, my child. Try a little bit harder.

A rainfall gauge?

Joseon will now use this gauge to measure the rainfall.

It's a wonderful invention!

It's simply a container.

That's how inventions go.

It seems so simple once it is achieved,

but it's difficult for your brain to get to that point of ingenuity.

It's a tubular container 45 cm long and 21 cm in diameter.

First we make three separate tubes in cast iron.

And you put the three tubes together? Is there a special reason?

To increase the accuracy of the measurement.

Increase the accuracy?

Would you like to go back to the palace?

When did you have time to build a platform?

Today is a special day. Right?

We want to add to the joyous event in the Royal House.

This will he the very first gift for the newborn child.

I had no idea you were so anxious.

But the Royal Grandson is certainly taking his time.

I wish he would hurry up and come out to see his gift.

Push, my child.

She's been in labor for days. Something has to be done!

I thought it would be easier to measure precipitation in the spring and fall when

it rains considerably less than in the summer if we divided the tube in three.

You thought of small details that could have been easily missed.

It also takes into consideration effects of incidental factors

such as temperature change.

This was His Highness's idea as well.

I heard the Crown Princess is having a long and difficult labor.

You must be quite concerned.

It is nothing compared to what she is going through.

Are you making this rain gauge and putting so much heart into

flood control in hopes of moving the Heavens?

I'm asking you if you are doing this for the Crown Princess.

I want to be a proud father as well like you.

You once told me that a King is a man who dedicates his life to

improving everyday lives of his people.

Hyang.

And you have always lived by those words

as you are doing now working diligently fot the creation of our own script.

I am unworthy, but if I could leave a legacy for my child,

I, too, want to tell him that tradition of this Royal House is the King's

willingness to work every waking moment of his days for his people.

The princess and the child will be fine.

It's a boy, Your Highness!

My child...

You did it. You did it, my child.

A grandson?

Your Majesty, where are you...?

To the labor room, of course.

Forgive me, but until straw festoon is removed...

I know.

Then.

This is a joyous event.

We can listen to the child's cry from outside at least. Right?

The physician! Call the physician at once!

The physician? What is happening?

Your Majesty...

He asked you a question!

It's the Crown Princess.

My child. Wake up, my child.

She will be all right.

Yes, she will.

My child.

It's me, my princess.

The child?

It's a boy. A very healthy boy.

May I see him?

But.

Are you a healthy boy?

Then you won't be a heavy burden to your father and those who will raise you.

Princess.

Go easy on your father.

Don't say things like that.

Mother.

Yes?

Please take the child away.

I want no shadows cast upon him.

Don't let him see his mother dying.

Child, you're...

I can feel it. It's hopeless.

This can't be!

I wanted to be with you forever.

If there is a god, it can't be you.

I must be punished, not you.

Don't blame yourself.

You did nothing wrong.

None of this is your fault.

Your Grace!

Your Grace! Your Grace!

My child!

Hyang.

I wish there was something I can do.

I will endure the best I can.

Where is he going? The East Palace is that way.

He wants to go to the Conference Hall and wrap up the state affairs.

Your Highness, you didn't have to come here today.

Deputy Commander Jang.

Yes, Your Highness.

Command the Ministry of Works to start mass production of the rain gauge.

Yes, Your Highness.

Third State Councilor.

Yes.

I'd like you to oversee the distribution of the rain gauge.

Yes, Your Highness.

And Minister of Military.

Yes, Your Highness.

Alert each station to dispatch reserve forces and

keep a close eye on flood hazard areas.

Yes, Your Highness.

That will be all.

The Crown Prince is so much like his father.

Or he's trying to act like he takes after his father.

Tell him to take it easy.

I don't want to cut him down, but he can get exhausted and

collapse before he gets settled trying to copy his father the way he is.

Would you like a drink?

I'm not interested if it doesn't involve a bet.

We don't bet on anything we can't lose.

Are you all right?

I'm considering sending crop assessors to local governments nation wide.

Why don't you young scholars of the Hall of Worthies take the job?

Your Highness...

Make sure that the regional magistrates don't take observation lightly.

Because...

Because while I have failed to stop natural disasters,

I must stop man-made disasters.

Your Highness.

I'm asking for your help.

You are to command us.

A ruler must command his subordinates.

Don't forget, Your Highness.

We will always be behind you and your newborn son.

Leave him alone for a while.

But.

He probably needed a place to hide and cry.

I'm quite sure he did.

The rainfall gauge...

Why does it have to measure not just the rainfall but my son's tears as well?

How much more of his tears will that

container have to hold on his rocky path as the King?

Your Majesty...

In a way, that rain gauge is a gauge for the King's tears and not for the rainfall.

AD 1441, 23rd year of Sejong's reign. Crown Prince Yi Hyang invented the Rain Gauge.

It was the world's first quantitative rain gauge

invented nearly 200 years before Castelli's invention of the rain gauge in Italy in 1639.

On May 19,1442, Joseon instituted a nationwide standardized rainfall measurement policy and

opened a new chapter in the history of flood control through accurate precipitations measurement.

In 1957, the Korean government proclaimed May 19

as National Inventor's Day in honor of the day that rainfall measurement policy was instituted.