Post by ajk on Nov 25, 2008 15:51:23 GMT -5
Autumn 1435: At the royal type foundry, we see sets of books being printed. Of course, they're printed using the new Gabin typeface.
A set is brought to Sejong; they're books he ordered printed. They're all books about phonetic systems. He tells prince Jinyang, who's there with him, "It's an unfamiliar field so it will take some work." You're going to read all those?, Jinyang asks. "I may have to review ten times that many," Sejong answers. "Say nothing of my plan to anyone yet." What plan?
At the weapons lab: Ogeun has brought a set of the books to crown prince Hyang, who's in Youngsil's workroom pounding away at a sword blade. Hyang has no interest in the books; he just keeps pounding. Aside, Ogeun tells Youngsil that the prince isn't eating or sleeping; he just goes to his lectures and then comes here and pounds on his metal. Why?, Youngsil asks. Can't tell you, Ogeun says; not allowed. Youngsil goes back to try to talk to Hyang about why he's here making a sword, physically grabbing his arm to stop the hammering. Hyang makes a sarcastic comment about how the prince who adamantly opposed the king's Sejong's the military campaigns can now lead one. Youngsil demands, "When will you stop this childish grumbling?", and tells him to stop hammering and read the books. Do it here if you prefer, but do it. Hyang responds, "I am unworthy. I don't deserve to know what's on the king's mind. Because I'm...unworthy of the future throne."
Sets of the new books are brought to the Hall of Worthies. Choi Manli sees that they're all on the same subject. Why phonetics?, he wonders. Jeong Inji agrees; why did the king choose this subject?
Ministers who have received the books are wondering the same thing. Huh Jo is utterly baffled: "Not on cannons, not on doctrines, but phonetics?" Elsewhere, so is Jo Malseng: "What could his majesty be up to this time?" Choi Yundeok, who's with Jo, wonders if the books contain a secret code pertaining to the new weapons technology--an interesting guess. (Wrong, but interesting.) Elsewhere, Hwang Hee is puzzled too.
Sejong is told by Jachi that Yun Hwe was sent for last night, but he wasn't at home.
Entering a records room, Sejong finds Yun Hwe sleeping on the floor, reeking of alcohol, using several books for a pillow. Several empty jugs surround him. Jachi can barely awaken him, but once Yun realizes who's in the room, he jumps up and stands. "Clear the room," Sejong orders; "Clear the attendants outside as well." (HOORAY! Bravo! Finally, it occurred to somebody in this series to take precautions against eavesdropping. And it only took what, 76 episodes? Sheesh.) Obviously, Yun has been drinking heavily, and Sejong is angry. "Don't you know how anxious I am? We're talking about creating a whole new writing system for Joseon," he reminds Yun--and now we know what he's up to. "I will not tolerate this. You will be punished." And he walks out, leaving a nervous Yun behind.
Later, Sejong and Yun Hwe are sitting at a table, facing each other. Sejong gives Yun a wine cup. At least, he says it's a wine cup. The thing holds maybe--MAYBE--two ounces. It's almost comically small. "You are to have no more than three glasses of wine a day using this cup." Yun smiles: "Oh your majesty, you are so humorous sometimes." It's no joke, Sejong tells him. "I am Yun Hwe, your majesty. Three cups of [this] won't even whet my throat, let alone my liver." I can order you to stop drinking altogether, Sejong says, and if I have to, I'll ban alcohol in the entire district. His smile gone, Yun agrees to obey the command.
Outside, one of the funniest images of the entire series, as we see Yun using a small hammer on the mini-cup to try to make it bigger. It isn't working. "What is this made of? I can't get it to stretch out. Perhaps it needs heat." (But in hindsight, if Yun is an alcoholic (which I'm not sure about), then this would be more pathetic than funny.)
In the royal kitchen: It's the queen's birthday and the crown princess is helping prepare food for a birthday dinner. Consort Kwon shows up to help, but the princess is cold to her and gives her the brush-off. We notice Sosang and Danji there working too.
The queen is moping. "A birthday dinner? See if you can cancel it," she tells escort Han. "Do you think I deserve it? I can't even solve a problem for my son. How can I enjoy a birthday dinner?" Don't cancel it, advises Han, because that will only lead to rumors. Then the queen surprises Han: "Forget about the plan you and royal attendant have. Sosang and Danji, don't hurt the two girls. There is no reason that justifies hasty handling of precious lives. I will figure out another way." Han clearly is resistant, though she says nothing. "Did you hear me?" "Yes, your highness."
Later, Han tells Jachi that "it is one order I cannot obey. I will assume responsibility for everything. We have to be rational about this. The fate of the royal house is on the line. That's exactly what we are here to preserve." This sounds like it's gonna get ugly. "Is everything set?" Yes, Jachi tells her; "Send them to royal chef Kim's house. Everything will work itself out."
Back in the kitchen, Han tells Sosang and Danji to go run an errand to the chef's house. But they refuse to do it!
Han takes them into a separate room, presumably to scold them. But they're more than ready for her. "We know that royal chef Kim's house is our deathtrap." Then they hand her several sheets of paper. Han is shocked to find that they're drawings of two women in bed together, one presumably being the crown princess (although the drawings themselves are rather generic--there's some text on each drawing, presumably about the princess). "If you so much as touch a hair on our heads, these drawings will be circulated all over the city." Blackmail!
At the queen's birthday dinner: Some music and a dance performance. The king and queen are there, along with the three princes and their wives (our first brief looks at the wives of Anpyeong and Jinyang). But not too many of them seem to be enjoying any of it. Sejong is the only one really having a nice time (since he's the only one who doesn't know what's up with the crown princess). He thanks the crown princess for reminding him of his wife's birthday, because he would have forgotten otherwise (female readers can insert their own joke here). She quietly tells him that she was just doing her duty to remember her mother-in-law's birthday. Then Sejong senses the discomfort in the room. "Why are you so quiet?", he asks the group; "Is there something wrong?" Jinyang covers for them: "No father, we're just embarrassed we didn't remember first." Then each son wishes his mother a happy birthday, Hyang last. Sejong tells Hyang, "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." Then to Hyang's wife: "You must remember as well, crown princess." The princess senses an opening: "Won't you help us, father? He is always busy with state affairs and rarely has time for family." Sejong smiles: "Oh dear, she doesn't miss a beat." He jokes that he's being reprimanded. Hyang snaps at her for her "audacious behavior," but Sejong tells him not to be short-tempered and says, "There is no need to get upset. The crown princess is right. 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 times," he tells the princess, now speaking from his own experience, "you will feel neglected. But know that his heart is with you and give him your support and understanding."
At the Hall of Worthies: Sejong is telling the scholars that he wants them to work on a translation of the canon of Ming laws into Idu (a modified form of Chinese writing that was used to express Korean language). The scholars don't like the idea; the people can't read, so what are they going to do with this? "Then perhaps you can develop an easier writing system," he tells them with a smile; Idu may be easier than Chinese but it's just as tough for common people to learn. (Considering how tight-lipped he's being about even the idea of a new writing system, it seems like a very risky comment for Sejong to make.) The scholars are baffled; what's he talking about? Choi Manli thinks this is a joke. But it's no joke. The scholars are firmly against the idea. An intense debate ensues. "What's wrong with allowing the people to understand the laws?", Sejong asks. One scholar brings up the false-accusation murder case (from the previous episode). But Choi Manli dismisses that: "the problem was with a misguided magistrate" and you don't need to educate the people; just have better oversight of magistrates. Jeong Changson fears that if you educate the "loud-mouthed and ignorant people in the law, they will be come even more difficult to control." I serve the people as my god, Sejong answers sternly, irritated by Jeong's attitude. Choi is dead-set against the idea and accuses the king of having unrealistic dreams. But then suddenly we hear from the crown prince, who's been sitting there so quietly that we barely noticed him: "Isn't it our job to turn dreams into reality?" He volunteers to do the translating himself! Now Choi starts to argue with the prince, but Hyang supports the idea because "people are good in nature." "That's the first thought you have to throw out the door to be a politician," Choi counters, and goes off on a strongly anti-populist argument about people not being able to control themselves. But Sejong disagrees: "That is all the more reason why we must teach them the law. I want ultimately for each and every citizen to become political subjects who can [control themselves] and the first step is to give them the power to protect their own rights."
That evening, standing next to the Petitioner's Drum: Sejong acknowledges to Hyang that it was Hyang's criticism of the conditions in the city that motivated him to pursue the translation idea. I struck this drum 25 years ago, he observes, but "the city hasn't changed much at all." Then Hyang asks, "Aren't you angry at me? I've opposed your policies again and again." "Continue to oppose," Sejong tells his son, "until you understand why I'm pursing those policies. That's the basis of politics." He smiles, touches his son's shoulder, and leaves...Flashback to the young Hyang in Ep55, Taejong's final scene: even if you disagree, "your father will love you just the same." (Nice touch.)
Yun Hwe summarizes things for Sejong: The scholars don't support the translation, and neither do the ministers. And that's just the Idu translation. "If you announce your intent to develop a whole new writing system now, the entire court will be up in arms." Right now it's more important to secure and strengthen the northern territory, while Ming is internally unstable.
In the north, we see Gim Jongsuh, and we learn through his report to the king, which Gim narrates, that the Jurchen Odoli tribe has been suppressed and a significant chunk of new territory has been conquered. Then we see Yi Gak entering a room where Gim is sitting, to introduce a messenger who has just arrived from Mongolia.
Sejong is reading Gim's report. "They want to make a deal with Joseon," says Yun Hwe. Sejong responds, "It looks like we might be able to catch two birds with one stone. Contact Peking and tell them to let the information slip." Hmmmm.....
Ming: Huang Zan and Wang Zhen are talking: they've learned that Mongolia and Joseon are in secret contact; Wang says that according to his sources, Joseon has been in contact with Japan as well. Could this be "an alliance of barbarians against great Ming?" Huang leaves, and outside finds Poongae waiting for him. Poongae asks, "Which do you want to suppress first: Joseon or Wang Zhen?" Huang is surprised by the question, but he doesn't rebuke Poongae for asking it, especially when Poongae says he's "the emperor's faithful servant." (Meaning, as opposed to Wang Zhen's stooge.)
Japanese envoys have arrived at the Joseon palace. The late Shin Jang's son Shin Sukju is with them, showing them his ability to write in Japanese. He tells them he wants to go back to Japan with them. This surprises them because they know who his father was and they know that he can become a Hall of Worthies scholar. Why would you not want that? Then: "I think it's strange, too." Yun Hwe comes in. (We learn here that Yun is Sukju's grandfather-in-law.) Yun confronts Sukju and wants an explanation. Sukju panics, runs out of the room and runs out into the street. "Stop thief! Stop him!" Why are they calling him a thief? Yun Hwe and a group chase the kid through the city streets, with the kid overturning market tables as he runs. But suddenly Yun grabs his side and falls to the ground in pain. Sukju sees this and runs back to his grandfather's side. "You're not supposed to run around!", he tells Yun: "The physician says liver cancer is...." Yun puts his finger to Sukju's lips, as we digest this extremely unpleasant piece of information. Yun smiles and asks him quietly, "How was my performance? Good enough to join the theater, right?" "You scared me half to death," Sukju says, and we start to realize that this was some kind of a staged episode for some unknown reason. "But I caught you," Yun says, grabbing Sukju's wrist; "Are you going to come quietly?" So Sukju must not have been entirely bluffing. (Yes, this is all confusing.)
In a private room in a restaurant: Yun and Sukju are having a drink together, Yun drinking out of his mini-cup. Turns out Yun wants Sukju in the Hall of Worthies, but Sukju doesn't want any part of it. Yun asks him, Why do you think I taught you Chinese and Japanese? If that was the reason, Sukju answers, I won't use my Chinese or Japanese any more; I can get by on my Mongolian, Arabic and Vietnamese. (Yikes--this guy is a one-man Berlitz!) He wants no part of the Hall of Worthies or if any kind of government service. Why not? "I'm angry with the king for working my father and you day and night! What did you get in return except an illness that's painful to endure." He leaves. Yun goes after him (but not before stopping to chug the rest of his wine--all one ounce of it.)
Outside, Yun starts after Sukju, but Hwang Hee is standing there (How did he know where to find Yun?). He's put the pieces together and has a somber look on his face. "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?" Yun smiles: "I guess someone finally is answering the king's call."
"Create a new writing system?" Sejong and Yun Hwe have told Hwang. Sejong says, "I want to give my people a weapon to defend themselves." Hwang's face shows his extreme concern over the idea. "That weapon will only end up threatening the government. Do you want the government and the people to become enemies?" He continues, "The officials will say you want direct communication with the people to suppress their power [and] the high ministers will not want to use the writing system that the common people use." Then I'll pursue it alone, Sejong says; "I cannot back down even if it means my life." My father, he explains, saw it as his mission in life to stabilize the new regime. The writing system is what I consider to be my mission. "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?"
Evening: Back in his office, Hwang sits alone...Flashback to the previously shown Dumundong episode, Hwang seeing Goryeo scholars burned alive in their building...Flashback ending, Hwang is pacing back and forth, Sejong's question echoing in his head.
The next day: At the edge of a wooded area, Sejong has come to see Hwang. Hwang answers him. "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 else. 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." Sejong smiles.
Yun Hwe enters the throne room and is stunned to find Shin Sukju kneeling before the king. Hwang is there too. "Grandson? What happened?" Sukju and Hwang smile at each other. Sejong seems a bit surprised too; why did Sukju change his mind? "Passionate desire, your majesty." Whatever that means.
Later, Hwang tells Sejong that the alphabet will take too much work for the king to be able to continue attending to all of the state affairs.
"Regency?" Ministers are meeting. Hwang informs them that Sejong will be turning over some routine administrative matters to the crown prince. They're surprised; why this decision so suddenly? Hwang tells them, "It's time for the crown prince to get some real lessons in being a king." This seems to satisfy them.
"Regency?" At the Hall of Worthies, Choi is suspicious. This, on top of all of the phonetic stuff? "Something is going on. What could the king be up to?"
Nighttime: At the type foundry, Sejong, accompanied by a very small group, enters the building. Sukju ushers him to a secret stairwell hidden behind a wall panel. Down the stairs is a basement room, sparsely furnished but prepared for secret work. Sejong looks around with anticipation. "The delivery room where a new writing system will be born!" (Get it--"delivery room"? Ugh. Don't quit your day job, pal.)
Hyang is outside, standing in a courtyard and looking troubled. Jinyang is with him and asks, "Is it because of the regency? Your face is full of fear." Hyang answers, "It is deciding the fate of the people. Fear is normal." Jinyang reassures him, "That fear will guide you in the right direction. You will do just fine." Hyang's face lightens; he's glad to hear the support.
The crown prince is alone, working. A napkin is placed in front of him. It's his wife; she's brought a bowl of food for him. "Please take a break," she says. Then she tells him, "I want us to start over." "Nothing will change anything," Hyang says, and he stands up to leave. She tells him, "I want to try. If you tell me to be patient, I will, no matter how long it takes. Then could you share you heart with me someday?" This stops him; her words clearly have an impact. "May I harbor hope that you might?"
Sasong and Danji are before the crown princess, who's offering them a formidable chest full of jewelry. "I'm asking for your mercy," she says to them. "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," they tell her. "You used us like toys and now you want us to get lost?" "I'm begging you," the princess says. Sosang shoves the chest aside. "We'll leave if that's what you rally want. But both you and your high and mighty husband will suffer mightily. 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." Wow, what are those two so angry about? Or is it just a show to support their blackmail?
Later, seen alone, then seen watching her husband working, the princess looks utterly broken. There's nothing left of the confident, self-assured young woman who once entered the palace.
Nighttime: We see the crown princess before Sejong: "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."
A set is brought to Sejong; they're books he ordered printed. They're all books about phonetic systems. He tells prince Jinyang, who's there with him, "It's an unfamiliar field so it will take some work." You're going to read all those?, Jinyang asks. "I may have to review ten times that many," Sejong answers. "Say nothing of my plan to anyone yet." What plan?
At the weapons lab: Ogeun has brought a set of the books to crown prince Hyang, who's in Youngsil's workroom pounding away at a sword blade. Hyang has no interest in the books; he just keeps pounding. Aside, Ogeun tells Youngsil that the prince isn't eating or sleeping; he just goes to his lectures and then comes here and pounds on his metal. Why?, Youngsil asks. Can't tell you, Ogeun says; not allowed. Youngsil goes back to try to talk to Hyang about why he's here making a sword, physically grabbing his arm to stop the hammering. Hyang makes a sarcastic comment about how the prince who adamantly opposed the king's Sejong's the military campaigns can now lead one. Youngsil demands, "When will you stop this childish grumbling?", and tells him to stop hammering and read the books. Do it here if you prefer, but do it. Hyang responds, "I am unworthy. I don't deserve to know what's on the king's mind. Because I'm...unworthy of the future throne."
Sets of the new books are brought to the Hall of Worthies. Choi Manli sees that they're all on the same subject. Why phonetics?, he wonders. Jeong Inji agrees; why did the king choose this subject?
Ministers who have received the books are wondering the same thing. Huh Jo is utterly baffled: "Not on cannons, not on doctrines, but phonetics?" Elsewhere, so is Jo Malseng: "What could his majesty be up to this time?" Choi Yundeok, who's with Jo, wonders if the books contain a secret code pertaining to the new weapons technology--an interesting guess. (Wrong, but interesting.) Elsewhere, Hwang Hee is puzzled too.
Sejong is told by Jachi that Yun Hwe was sent for last night, but he wasn't at home.
Entering a records room, Sejong finds Yun Hwe sleeping on the floor, reeking of alcohol, using several books for a pillow. Several empty jugs surround him. Jachi can barely awaken him, but once Yun realizes who's in the room, he jumps up and stands. "Clear the room," Sejong orders; "Clear the attendants outside as well." (HOORAY! Bravo! Finally, it occurred to somebody in this series to take precautions against eavesdropping. And it only took what, 76 episodes? Sheesh.) Obviously, Yun has been drinking heavily, and Sejong is angry. "Don't you know how anxious I am? We're talking about creating a whole new writing system for Joseon," he reminds Yun--and now we know what he's up to. "I will not tolerate this. You will be punished." And he walks out, leaving a nervous Yun behind.
Later, Sejong and Yun Hwe are sitting at a table, facing each other. Sejong gives Yun a wine cup. At least, he says it's a wine cup. The thing holds maybe--MAYBE--two ounces. It's almost comically small. "You are to have no more than three glasses of wine a day using this cup." Yun smiles: "Oh your majesty, you are so humorous sometimes." It's no joke, Sejong tells him. "I am Yun Hwe, your majesty. Three cups of [this] won't even whet my throat, let alone my liver." I can order you to stop drinking altogether, Sejong says, and if I have to, I'll ban alcohol in the entire district. His smile gone, Yun agrees to obey the command.
Outside, one of the funniest images of the entire series, as we see Yun using a small hammer on the mini-cup to try to make it bigger. It isn't working. "What is this made of? I can't get it to stretch out. Perhaps it needs heat." (But in hindsight, if Yun is an alcoholic (which I'm not sure about), then this would be more pathetic than funny.)
In the royal kitchen: It's the queen's birthday and the crown princess is helping prepare food for a birthday dinner. Consort Kwon shows up to help, but the princess is cold to her and gives her the brush-off. We notice Sosang and Danji there working too.
The queen is moping. "A birthday dinner? See if you can cancel it," she tells escort Han. "Do you think I deserve it? I can't even solve a problem for my son. How can I enjoy a birthday dinner?" Don't cancel it, advises Han, because that will only lead to rumors. Then the queen surprises Han: "Forget about the plan you and royal attendant have. Sosang and Danji, don't hurt the two girls. There is no reason that justifies hasty handling of precious lives. I will figure out another way." Han clearly is resistant, though she says nothing. "Did you hear me?" "Yes, your highness."
Later, Han tells Jachi that "it is one order I cannot obey. I will assume responsibility for everything. We have to be rational about this. The fate of the royal house is on the line. That's exactly what we are here to preserve." This sounds like it's gonna get ugly. "Is everything set?" Yes, Jachi tells her; "Send them to royal chef Kim's house. Everything will work itself out."
Back in the kitchen, Han tells Sosang and Danji to go run an errand to the chef's house. But they refuse to do it!
Han takes them into a separate room, presumably to scold them. But they're more than ready for her. "We know that royal chef Kim's house is our deathtrap." Then they hand her several sheets of paper. Han is shocked to find that they're drawings of two women in bed together, one presumably being the crown princess (although the drawings themselves are rather generic--there's some text on each drawing, presumably about the princess). "If you so much as touch a hair on our heads, these drawings will be circulated all over the city." Blackmail!
At the queen's birthday dinner: Some music and a dance performance. The king and queen are there, along with the three princes and their wives (our first brief looks at the wives of Anpyeong and Jinyang). But not too many of them seem to be enjoying any of it. Sejong is the only one really having a nice time (since he's the only one who doesn't know what's up with the crown princess). He thanks the crown princess for reminding him of his wife's birthday, because he would have forgotten otherwise (female readers can insert their own joke here). She quietly tells him that she was just doing her duty to remember her mother-in-law's birthday. Then Sejong senses the discomfort in the room. "Why are you so quiet?", he asks the group; "Is there something wrong?" Jinyang covers for them: "No father, we're just embarrassed we didn't remember first." Then each son wishes his mother a happy birthday, Hyang last. Sejong tells Hyang, "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." Then to Hyang's wife: "You must remember as well, crown princess." The princess senses an opening: "Won't you help us, father? He is always busy with state affairs and rarely has time for family." Sejong smiles: "Oh dear, she doesn't miss a beat." He jokes that he's being reprimanded. Hyang snaps at her for her "audacious behavior," but Sejong tells him not to be short-tempered and says, "There is no need to get upset. The crown princess is right. 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 times," he tells the princess, now speaking from his own experience, "you will feel neglected. But know that his heart is with you and give him your support and understanding."
At the Hall of Worthies: Sejong is telling the scholars that he wants them to work on a translation of the canon of Ming laws into Idu (a modified form of Chinese writing that was used to express Korean language). The scholars don't like the idea; the people can't read, so what are they going to do with this? "Then perhaps you can develop an easier writing system," he tells them with a smile; Idu may be easier than Chinese but it's just as tough for common people to learn. (Considering how tight-lipped he's being about even the idea of a new writing system, it seems like a very risky comment for Sejong to make.) The scholars are baffled; what's he talking about? Choi Manli thinks this is a joke. But it's no joke. The scholars are firmly against the idea. An intense debate ensues. "What's wrong with allowing the people to understand the laws?", Sejong asks. One scholar brings up the false-accusation murder case (from the previous episode). But Choi Manli dismisses that: "the problem was with a misguided magistrate" and you don't need to educate the people; just have better oversight of magistrates. Jeong Changson fears that if you educate the "loud-mouthed and ignorant people in the law, they will be come even more difficult to control." I serve the people as my god, Sejong answers sternly, irritated by Jeong's attitude. Choi is dead-set against the idea and accuses the king of having unrealistic dreams. But then suddenly we hear from the crown prince, who's been sitting there so quietly that we barely noticed him: "Isn't it our job to turn dreams into reality?" He volunteers to do the translating himself! Now Choi starts to argue with the prince, but Hyang supports the idea because "people are good in nature." "That's the first thought you have to throw out the door to be a politician," Choi counters, and goes off on a strongly anti-populist argument about people not being able to control themselves. But Sejong disagrees: "That is all the more reason why we must teach them the law. I want ultimately for each and every citizen to become political subjects who can [control themselves] and the first step is to give them the power to protect their own rights."
That evening, standing next to the Petitioner's Drum: Sejong acknowledges to Hyang that it was Hyang's criticism of the conditions in the city that motivated him to pursue the translation idea. I struck this drum 25 years ago, he observes, but "the city hasn't changed much at all." Then Hyang asks, "Aren't you angry at me? I've opposed your policies again and again." "Continue to oppose," Sejong tells his son, "until you understand why I'm pursing those policies. That's the basis of politics." He smiles, touches his son's shoulder, and leaves...Flashback to the young Hyang in Ep55, Taejong's final scene: even if you disagree, "your father will love you just the same." (Nice touch.)
Yun Hwe summarizes things for Sejong: The scholars don't support the translation, and neither do the ministers. And that's just the Idu translation. "If you announce your intent to develop a whole new writing system now, the entire court will be up in arms." Right now it's more important to secure and strengthen the northern territory, while Ming is internally unstable.
In the north, we see Gim Jongsuh, and we learn through his report to the king, which Gim narrates, that the Jurchen Odoli tribe has been suppressed and a significant chunk of new territory has been conquered. Then we see Yi Gak entering a room where Gim is sitting, to introduce a messenger who has just arrived from Mongolia.
Sejong is reading Gim's report. "They want to make a deal with Joseon," says Yun Hwe. Sejong responds, "It looks like we might be able to catch two birds with one stone. Contact Peking and tell them to let the information slip." Hmmmm.....
Ming: Huang Zan and Wang Zhen are talking: they've learned that Mongolia and Joseon are in secret contact; Wang says that according to his sources, Joseon has been in contact with Japan as well. Could this be "an alliance of barbarians against great Ming?" Huang leaves, and outside finds Poongae waiting for him. Poongae asks, "Which do you want to suppress first: Joseon or Wang Zhen?" Huang is surprised by the question, but he doesn't rebuke Poongae for asking it, especially when Poongae says he's "the emperor's faithful servant." (Meaning, as opposed to Wang Zhen's stooge.)
Japanese envoys have arrived at the Joseon palace. The late Shin Jang's son Shin Sukju is with them, showing them his ability to write in Japanese. He tells them he wants to go back to Japan with them. This surprises them because they know who his father was and they know that he can become a Hall of Worthies scholar. Why would you not want that? Then: "I think it's strange, too." Yun Hwe comes in. (We learn here that Yun is Sukju's grandfather-in-law.) Yun confronts Sukju and wants an explanation. Sukju panics, runs out of the room and runs out into the street. "Stop thief! Stop him!" Why are they calling him a thief? Yun Hwe and a group chase the kid through the city streets, with the kid overturning market tables as he runs. But suddenly Yun grabs his side and falls to the ground in pain. Sukju sees this and runs back to his grandfather's side. "You're not supposed to run around!", he tells Yun: "The physician says liver cancer is...." Yun puts his finger to Sukju's lips, as we digest this extremely unpleasant piece of information. Yun smiles and asks him quietly, "How was my performance? Good enough to join the theater, right?" "You scared me half to death," Sukju says, and we start to realize that this was some kind of a staged episode for some unknown reason. "But I caught you," Yun says, grabbing Sukju's wrist; "Are you going to come quietly?" So Sukju must not have been entirely bluffing. (Yes, this is all confusing.)
In a private room in a restaurant: Yun and Sukju are having a drink together, Yun drinking out of his mini-cup. Turns out Yun wants Sukju in the Hall of Worthies, but Sukju doesn't want any part of it. Yun asks him, Why do you think I taught you Chinese and Japanese? If that was the reason, Sukju answers, I won't use my Chinese or Japanese any more; I can get by on my Mongolian, Arabic and Vietnamese. (Yikes--this guy is a one-man Berlitz!) He wants no part of the Hall of Worthies or if any kind of government service. Why not? "I'm angry with the king for working my father and you day and night! What did you get in return except an illness that's painful to endure." He leaves. Yun goes after him (but not before stopping to chug the rest of his wine--all one ounce of it.)
Outside, Yun starts after Sukju, but Hwang Hee is standing there (How did he know where to find Yun?). He's put the pieces together and has a somber look on his face. "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?" Yun smiles: "I guess someone finally is answering the king's call."
"Create a new writing system?" Sejong and Yun Hwe have told Hwang. Sejong says, "I want to give my people a weapon to defend themselves." Hwang's face shows his extreme concern over the idea. "That weapon will only end up threatening the government. Do you want the government and the people to become enemies?" He continues, "The officials will say you want direct communication with the people to suppress their power [and] the high ministers will not want to use the writing system that the common people use." Then I'll pursue it alone, Sejong says; "I cannot back down even if it means my life." My father, he explains, saw it as his mission in life to stabilize the new regime. The writing system is what I consider to be my mission. "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?"
Evening: Back in his office, Hwang sits alone...Flashback to the previously shown Dumundong episode, Hwang seeing Goryeo scholars burned alive in their building...Flashback ending, Hwang is pacing back and forth, Sejong's question echoing in his head.
The next day: At the edge of a wooded area, Sejong has come to see Hwang. Hwang answers him. "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 else. 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." Sejong smiles.
Yun Hwe enters the throne room and is stunned to find Shin Sukju kneeling before the king. Hwang is there too. "Grandson? What happened?" Sukju and Hwang smile at each other. Sejong seems a bit surprised too; why did Sukju change his mind? "Passionate desire, your majesty." Whatever that means.
Later, Hwang tells Sejong that the alphabet will take too much work for the king to be able to continue attending to all of the state affairs.
"Regency?" Ministers are meeting. Hwang informs them that Sejong will be turning over some routine administrative matters to the crown prince. They're surprised; why this decision so suddenly? Hwang tells them, "It's time for the crown prince to get some real lessons in being a king." This seems to satisfy them.
"Regency?" At the Hall of Worthies, Choi is suspicious. This, on top of all of the phonetic stuff? "Something is going on. What could the king be up to?"
Nighttime: At the type foundry, Sejong, accompanied by a very small group, enters the building. Sukju ushers him to a secret stairwell hidden behind a wall panel. Down the stairs is a basement room, sparsely furnished but prepared for secret work. Sejong looks around with anticipation. "The delivery room where a new writing system will be born!" (Get it--"delivery room"? Ugh. Don't quit your day job, pal.)
Hyang is outside, standing in a courtyard and looking troubled. Jinyang is with him and asks, "Is it because of the regency? Your face is full of fear." Hyang answers, "It is deciding the fate of the people. Fear is normal." Jinyang reassures him, "That fear will guide you in the right direction. You will do just fine." Hyang's face lightens; he's glad to hear the support.
The crown prince is alone, working. A napkin is placed in front of him. It's his wife; she's brought a bowl of food for him. "Please take a break," she says. Then she tells him, "I want us to start over." "Nothing will change anything," Hyang says, and he stands up to leave. She tells him, "I want to try. If you tell me to be patient, I will, no matter how long it takes. Then could you share you heart with me someday?" This stops him; her words clearly have an impact. "May I harbor hope that you might?"
Sasong and Danji are before the crown princess, who's offering them a formidable chest full of jewelry. "I'm asking for your mercy," she says to them. "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," they tell her. "You used us like toys and now you want us to get lost?" "I'm begging you," the princess says. Sosang shoves the chest aside. "We'll leave if that's what you rally want. But both you and your high and mighty husband will suffer mightily. 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." Wow, what are those two so angry about? Or is it just a show to support their blackmail?
Later, seen alone, then seen watching her husband working, the princess looks utterly broken. There's nothing left of the confident, self-assured young woman who once entered the palace.
Nighttime: We see the crown princess before Sejong: "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."