Post by ajk on Sept 24, 2008 19:47:11 GMT -5
We see Jang Youngsil walking through the palace complex in his blue official robe, looking very self-conscious. Ministers, standing outside of the conference hall building, see him and stare. "If you live long enough, you see everything," says Huh Jo. "Is humble refusal too much to expect from a slave?", asks Meng Sasung rhetorically. The scholars are out there too, and even they don't handle it very well. Oddly, the only one who looks at Jang with any sympathy in his eyes is Gim Mun (Jo Malseng's flunky).
At the Hall of Worthies: Sejong is there and addresses the scholars: "I know you are all confused right now...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." He tells Yi Chun, who's there, to take his men personally to the Astronomy Agency. And he pressures Jeong Ilji to join the agency himself.
At the Astronomy Bureau: The workers are giving Youngsil even more flak now that he's wearing the robe. Then the two astrologers try to overrule him and dismiss the workers. But Choi Haesan shows up and puts a stop to that. "You can all walk out on your job if you want, but you'll have to get through me first." Guards then arrive, bearing a punishment bench (the thing for whacking people on the back with sticks). "That includes the two of you as well," Choi tells the astrologers. "Obviously [Youngsil's] robe doesn't mean anything to you, but this is the robe of a 1st class, 5th rank official, which is a higher rank than both of your ranks combined. The insubordination you showed must not go unpunished..." and the two get right to work before he can even finish his thought. "Bastards," he mutters to himself. "They're being such jerks." But Youngsil is looking burdened and feeling beyond uncomfortable. Choi tries to park him up; he's very supportive and encouraging of Youngsil's position, but he seems to be the only one. "This uniform," Youngsil asks him, "How long do you suppose I can keep it on? Can I last through the end of the day?" Choi gives him some tough talk; tells him to lose the mopey attitude and "keep this uniform if it's the last thing you do."...Flashback to a conversation between Daion and Youngsil, back in Ming: "I'm glad you are all right," Daion says to him. "I'm also glad you've been well without me." (That's not what she told Huang Yan!) "What kind of a man is our king?", she asks; "What kind of a man is he that you'd risk my life to be loyal to him?" But he doesn't answer; he only asks her if she's angry. No, she says, "I'm thankful that there is someone who recognizes you for the special person you are." Then she says, "Would you come see me again? Come back and show me again another magnificent transformation you have undergone. You will do that for me, won't you?" Outside of the room, we see Choi listening...Flashback ending, Choi keeps at it: "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 who gets in your way if I have to." Finally Youngsil shows a bit of life. (Not real sure what the point of that flashback is, at least not why it was shown in this scene.)
Back at the Hall of Worthies: "I cannot, your majesty." Yi Chun tells Sejong that he won't obey! The order, he says, "will shake the foundation of this state." Then Sejong and Choi Manli get into one heck of an argument. "This country cannot stay intact by destroying the foundation of the caste system." "Are you telling me that I'm wrong? Don't you know how important the instruments are?" "We will sacrifice the instruments if we must, but we will not accept this." (And a lot more that flew by too fast to catch.) Then Choi argues that if Sejong grants one slave a post, others will want one, and without enough posts to go around, there will be resentment and lead to rebellious slaves all over the country. Slave rebellions have happened before, he reminds the king. But Sejong argues that those rebellions were caused by inept government officials. Choi counters, "But we won't lead like that." We already are, Sejong says, by not making this work. And he leaves. Choi tells Yun Hwe and Yi Su to go after him and talk him out of it.
In the hall, Yi Su tells Yun, "Count me out. I don't want to dissuade him." Then we see them in a stockroom, drinking. Yun thought it would give him the strength to try to stop Sejong, but he says it's made his head clearer instead. (So Yun doesn't want to dissuade him either.) Still, Yun says, "This is one fight he can't win...It's going to be painful to watch."
At the Astronomy Agency, Yi Chun tells Choi Haesan that the scholars oppose, too--and so do I. So take off the uniform, he tells Youngsil, and turn it in. Choi promptly pops Chun in the face, knocking him down. "He nearly died learning about the astronomical instruments. You can't do this to him. I'd take off my own uniform for him for what he's accomplished." But Yi won't have it: "I'm too well aware of the reality to be swayed by emotions like you." Then he tells them both that this is causing the king so much trouble that the ministers are talking about dethroning him over it. Which shocks them both (and is news to us).
Hwang Hee is kneeling before Sejong. He submits a paper; it's his resignation. "So this is a threat," Sejong says. "I know that you don't really want to resign." "You're making a mistake," Hwang tells him, and "must stop to prevent further confusion." Sejong asks him how he feels about all this personally. Hwang answers, "Never in history has a slave been granted such a huge leap in status." Which doesn't really answer the question, but Sejong tells him, "I don't believe there is a future for those who measure the present with the past." Bring me a reasonable argument against it, he says, and I'll listen and follow your advice. But don't waste your time otherwise.
Leaving, Hwang encounters the whole gang of ministers. They see the resignation paper he's holding and realize that even THAT didn't shake the king.
Outside the throne room building: It's a sit-in. All of the ministers are on the ground and calling out slogans: "Slaves have no place in the government!" "We cannot shake the foundation of this country!" "Rescind the order!" Inside, Sejong is sitting there and listening to it all. "A slave cannot be made a government official!" "The king cannot undermine the order of the state!" "A king who pays no heed to the earnest counsel of his men is a tyrant--may you be a king of benevolence!" (Oooh, that last one is weasely.) Sejong steps outside and glares at them all. Then he tells Yun Hwe that he's going home and will fast until the ministers cooperate. And with that he storms off, leaving the ministers befuddled.
A concerned queen has been told by escort Han that her husband is fasting. "I think his majesty sees Joseon's future in Jang Youngsil," she says. "That's why he cherishes him like his child sometimes. He is determined to protect this precious future. No one can break him."
Crown prince Hyang is explained the situation by Shin Jang, his tutor. "Is my father wrong?" Hyang asks. Shin is diplomatic and doesn't say yes or no; All I know, he tells the boy, is that "those who seek to create confusion will rear their ugly heads."
Jo Malseng, in a very good mood, has brought several scholars to a gisaeng house. They're not up for any small talk or pleasantries; We're not exactly comfortable in such a place, they tell him, so get to the point. Then who comes in but prince Kyoungnyeong! (Uh-oh, we can immediately see where this is going.) Jo has asked him here. He and Jo trade Chinese proverbs, and then the prince asks why he's been brought here. "I don't care if you think I'm a bare-faced old man who pushes the king around. But it's time for the royal house to step in. I want a working government." Then he turns to the scholars: "How about you men? if the government is paralyzed over the fate of a lowly slave, who will protect our borders and the welfare of our people? If there is a common goal, an enemy can be a friend. That's politics. Can't we find a way to get through this together?" The scholars don't answer. But they're thinking.
Afterwards, the scholars agree that they won't join the ministers' protest just yet. But Jeong says he's going to rally Confucian scholars around the country, "since what his majesty fears most is public sentiment."
Jo tells Kyoungnyeong that the meeting was "a turning point that could decide the fate of Joseon." The prince agrees, but then Jo starts complaining about how the king is shaking foundations, which prompts Kyoungnyeong to ask him what he's getting at. "I'm sure you can find the answer to that question," Jo says evasively.
Hyobin confronts her son for meeting with Jo Malseng. "He is not a man you want to be close to," she warns. But the prince has a far-off look in his eyes. "Your dream, mother. Is it still alive? Once you dream a dream, especially if it involves ambition for power, it's hard to let it go." "What are you thinking about?", she asks with concern.
Jo is with Gim Mun; he tells him, "I have all the cards I need." There's another card?, Gim asks. There is. In two weeks, the Ming envoy will be visiting. What if he finds out about the astronomy project? Ming will want to dethrone Sejong no matter what happens internally.
Early morning: Gim Mun walks into the Hall of Worthies and finds Sejong there alone. "I was so hungry," the king says, "I came to get a few books to take my mind off it." He came in early so the ministers wouldn't see him and pester him more. He has a list of books and asks Gim to help find them. "I have this idea," Sejong says. "Should I have the protesting ministers fast as well?" He's smiling a bit as he talks; obviously this is only a thought. "I feel so feeble having fasted for two days. I can only imagine the pain of those who starved in the drought and ended up dying. Then they will know why I'm putting a courtier's robe on the slave." (I don't see how a better calendar would help avoid drought, but I guess his point is about the agriculture in general.) Gim wryly remarks that getting those "gluttonous ministers" to fast may be a tougher task than getting the robe on the slave. Then he asks the king, "Are you fighting this fight for the astronomical instruments alone?" No, Sejong says reflectively, "I suppose it's more for Jang Youngsil...I believe who 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 wouldn't be here either. I am the third son, remember? I was not born to be a king." Then he looks at Gim and, realizing what he's been saying, "You don't agree...Forgive me." "It's a difficult problem," Gim says diplomatically as he finds the last of the books. Sejong takes the books from him and leaves. But as Gim is left alone we can tell that the king’s words have struck something very deep inside him.
Nighttime. "Come inside. Why are you just standing there?" Gim has gone to visit his mother, but he really is just standing there, seemingly weighted down with conflicting thoughts. We see that his mother lives in a humble hut. They talk; she asks how Jo Malseng is. But Gim doesn't answer and instead asks her, "If I said I wanted to give up my post and come live here and take care of you, how would you feel?" "Is minister Jo treating you badly?", she asks; "Does he mistreat you because of my lowly status?" No, that's not it. "Then don't even think about things like that and hold on to Minister Jo." He leaves her, but he's still burdened and brooding.
The next day: Jeongso and Hyang peek in on their father, who's lying asleep and not looking well. Jeongso is so disappointed because they were going to take a trip today. Her brother scolds her for even thinking about expecting a trip when her father is in such a state. She starts to tear up, gets frustrated and runs off.
Later we see brother and sister talking. "Today is grandmother's birthday? Why didn't you tell me sooner," Hyang says. "I shouldn't have to tell you at all," she answers. The queen has been upset all day and "I wanted to make her happy by taking father to visit grandmother." She had even arranged for the royal kitchen to prepare food. You can still go, Hyang tells her; "I'll arrange it so you can." (Oh really?)
Youngsil is working inside. Hyang enters. He's not interested in looking at the stars. He's in a mood. When I'm the king, he tells Youngsil, I'm going to ban everything. Because then you won't need to wear that courtier's robe." Youngsil asks him, "Does it upset you to see me in this robe?" "My father is sick because of you," the boy answers. "You know that? And today is my grandmother's birthday, and she can't even have a birthday meal because of you. And that's going to break mother's heart. Who do you think you are?" My grandmother is a slave now and you're in that robe. "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 because of you? Why? Why?" The boy is starting to cry. "All right," Youngsil says, drying his tears. "I hear you. So please don't cry. I hear you." "This is an order from the crown prince," the boy says. "You're a slave, so don't wear that robe, you just can't!" And he runs away crying. A real punch to Youngsil's gut.
The sit-in is continuing; ministers are in the courtyard shouting in unison. Suddenly Youngsil comes walking in, carrying his robe and hat and boots in front of him. Not wearing them, carrying them. He tells Yi Chun he's returning the robe to the king. "So would you please tell the ministers to stop pressuring the king?" He leaves them and goes to kneel before Sejong's quarters.
"Tell him to leave." Inside, Sejong is told, and then told that Youngsil won't leave won't leave until he takes the robe back. "Punk," he mutters. "After all that I said about not giving up...."
Meng Sasung tells Huh Jo and prime minister Yu, "It looks like we're going to get through this hump."
Jang is still kneeling...then it starts to rain; he's still kneeling...then it's really pouring hard; he's still kneeling.
In the pouring rain, Jeongso is in a marketplace with her attendants; they're all getting soaked. What's the princess doing there?
It's evening and Sejong has come outside on the porch in the pouring rain. "How should I punish you...for betraying my trust and disobeying me? " "Take this robe back," Youngsil implores him; "A slave has no right to wear a courtier's robe." But Sejong won't have it: "Do you think taking this robe back will serve as a punishment?"
The princess is still in the marketplace. She's cold and wet, but she won't leave because her father is supposed to meet her father here. (Don't know why she thinks that.)
Sejong is now holding an umbrella over the kneeling Jang. This throws all of the attendants into a panic, given his fragile health. But he's more concerned with Youngsil's health. "My reign will last thirty years at most, but the astronomical instruments will last for hundreds of years and serve as a pillar that will keep this country standing. I won't give you up...I cannot do such a great disservice to our descendants. We must prevail whatever it takes," he tells Youngsil. "Please don't turn me away." To the side, Hwang is watching...and to the other side, Gim Mun is watching.
In the Hall of Worthies, the scholars are thoroughly demoralized. "Why is he being so stubborn?", Choi Manli asks; "Do we have no choice now but to join hands with Jo Malseng?"
Jo tells Gim Mun, "Ming will have to know. There is no other choice."
Hwang Hee is alone in a conference room; then Gim Mun enters. "Is Jo Malseng the one you want?", he asks Hwang. "Can we get through this if we get Jo Malseng out of the way?" Hwang stands up. "Are you trying to tell me you can get Jo Malseng out of the way?"
At the Hall of Worthies: Sejong is there and addresses the scholars: "I know you are all confused right now...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." He tells Yi Chun, who's there, to take his men personally to the Astronomy Agency. And he pressures Jeong Ilji to join the agency himself.
At the Astronomy Bureau: The workers are giving Youngsil even more flak now that he's wearing the robe. Then the two astrologers try to overrule him and dismiss the workers. But Choi Haesan shows up and puts a stop to that. "You can all walk out on your job if you want, but you'll have to get through me first." Guards then arrive, bearing a punishment bench (the thing for whacking people on the back with sticks). "That includes the two of you as well," Choi tells the astrologers. "Obviously [Youngsil's] robe doesn't mean anything to you, but this is the robe of a 1st class, 5th rank official, which is a higher rank than both of your ranks combined. The insubordination you showed must not go unpunished..." and the two get right to work before he can even finish his thought. "Bastards," he mutters to himself. "They're being such jerks." But Youngsil is looking burdened and feeling beyond uncomfortable. Choi tries to park him up; he's very supportive and encouraging of Youngsil's position, but he seems to be the only one. "This uniform," Youngsil asks him, "How long do you suppose I can keep it on? Can I last through the end of the day?" Choi gives him some tough talk; tells him to lose the mopey attitude and "keep this uniform if it's the last thing you do."...Flashback to a conversation between Daion and Youngsil, back in Ming: "I'm glad you are all right," Daion says to him. "I'm also glad you've been well without me." (That's not what she told Huang Yan!) "What kind of a man is our king?", she asks; "What kind of a man is he that you'd risk my life to be loyal to him?" But he doesn't answer; he only asks her if she's angry. No, she says, "I'm thankful that there is someone who recognizes you for the special person you are." Then she says, "Would you come see me again? Come back and show me again another magnificent transformation you have undergone. You will do that for me, won't you?" Outside of the room, we see Choi listening...Flashback ending, Choi keeps at it: "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 who gets in your way if I have to." Finally Youngsil shows a bit of life. (Not real sure what the point of that flashback is, at least not why it was shown in this scene.)
Back at the Hall of Worthies: "I cannot, your majesty." Yi Chun tells Sejong that he won't obey! The order, he says, "will shake the foundation of this state." Then Sejong and Choi Manli get into one heck of an argument. "This country cannot stay intact by destroying the foundation of the caste system." "Are you telling me that I'm wrong? Don't you know how important the instruments are?" "We will sacrifice the instruments if we must, but we will not accept this." (And a lot more that flew by too fast to catch.) Then Choi argues that if Sejong grants one slave a post, others will want one, and without enough posts to go around, there will be resentment and lead to rebellious slaves all over the country. Slave rebellions have happened before, he reminds the king. But Sejong argues that those rebellions were caused by inept government officials. Choi counters, "But we won't lead like that." We already are, Sejong says, by not making this work. And he leaves. Choi tells Yun Hwe and Yi Su to go after him and talk him out of it.
In the hall, Yi Su tells Yun, "Count me out. I don't want to dissuade him." Then we see them in a stockroom, drinking. Yun thought it would give him the strength to try to stop Sejong, but he says it's made his head clearer instead. (So Yun doesn't want to dissuade him either.) Still, Yun says, "This is one fight he can't win...It's going to be painful to watch."
At the Astronomy Agency, Yi Chun tells Choi Haesan that the scholars oppose, too--and so do I. So take off the uniform, he tells Youngsil, and turn it in. Choi promptly pops Chun in the face, knocking him down. "He nearly died learning about the astronomical instruments. You can't do this to him. I'd take off my own uniform for him for what he's accomplished." But Yi won't have it: "I'm too well aware of the reality to be swayed by emotions like you." Then he tells them both that this is causing the king so much trouble that the ministers are talking about dethroning him over it. Which shocks them both (and is news to us).
Hwang Hee is kneeling before Sejong. He submits a paper; it's his resignation. "So this is a threat," Sejong says. "I know that you don't really want to resign." "You're making a mistake," Hwang tells him, and "must stop to prevent further confusion." Sejong asks him how he feels about all this personally. Hwang answers, "Never in history has a slave been granted such a huge leap in status." Which doesn't really answer the question, but Sejong tells him, "I don't believe there is a future for those who measure the present with the past." Bring me a reasonable argument against it, he says, and I'll listen and follow your advice. But don't waste your time otherwise.
Leaving, Hwang encounters the whole gang of ministers. They see the resignation paper he's holding and realize that even THAT didn't shake the king.
Outside the throne room building: It's a sit-in. All of the ministers are on the ground and calling out slogans: "Slaves have no place in the government!" "We cannot shake the foundation of this country!" "Rescind the order!" Inside, Sejong is sitting there and listening to it all. "A slave cannot be made a government official!" "The king cannot undermine the order of the state!" "A king who pays no heed to the earnest counsel of his men is a tyrant--may you be a king of benevolence!" (Oooh, that last one is weasely.) Sejong steps outside and glares at them all. Then he tells Yun Hwe that he's going home and will fast until the ministers cooperate. And with that he storms off, leaving the ministers befuddled.
A concerned queen has been told by escort Han that her husband is fasting. "I think his majesty sees Joseon's future in Jang Youngsil," she says. "That's why he cherishes him like his child sometimes. He is determined to protect this precious future. No one can break him."
Crown prince Hyang is explained the situation by Shin Jang, his tutor. "Is my father wrong?" Hyang asks. Shin is diplomatic and doesn't say yes or no; All I know, he tells the boy, is that "those who seek to create confusion will rear their ugly heads."
Jo Malseng, in a very good mood, has brought several scholars to a gisaeng house. They're not up for any small talk or pleasantries; We're not exactly comfortable in such a place, they tell him, so get to the point. Then who comes in but prince Kyoungnyeong! (Uh-oh, we can immediately see where this is going.) Jo has asked him here. He and Jo trade Chinese proverbs, and then the prince asks why he's been brought here. "I don't care if you think I'm a bare-faced old man who pushes the king around. But it's time for the royal house to step in. I want a working government." Then he turns to the scholars: "How about you men? if the government is paralyzed over the fate of a lowly slave, who will protect our borders and the welfare of our people? If there is a common goal, an enemy can be a friend. That's politics. Can't we find a way to get through this together?" The scholars don't answer. But they're thinking.
Afterwards, the scholars agree that they won't join the ministers' protest just yet. But Jeong says he's going to rally Confucian scholars around the country, "since what his majesty fears most is public sentiment."
Jo tells Kyoungnyeong that the meeting was "a turning point that could decide the fate of Joseon." The prince agrees, but then Jo starts complaining about how the king is shaking foundations, which prompts Kyoungnyeong to ask him what he's getting at. "I'm sure you can find the answer to that question," Jo says evasively.
Hyobin confronts her son for meeting with Jo Malseng. "He is not a man you want to be close to," she warns. But the prince has a far-off look in his eyes. "Your dream, mother. Is it still alive? Once you dream a dream, especially if it involves ambition for power, it's hard to let it go." "What are you thinking about?", she asks with concern.
Jo is with Gim Mun; he tells him, "I have all the cards I need." There's another card?, Gim asks. There is. In two weeks, the Ming envoy will be visiting. What if he finds out about the astronomy project? Ming will want to dethrone Sejong no matter what happens internally.
Early morning: Gim Mun walks into the Hall of Worthies and finds Sejong there alone. "I was so hungry," the king says, "I came to get a few books to take my mind off it." He came in early so the ministers wouldn't see him and pester him more. He has a list of books and asks Gim to help find them. "I have this idea," Sejong says. "Should I have the protesting ministers fast as well?" He's smiling a bit as he talks; obviously this is only a thought. "I feel so feeble having fasted for two days. I can only imagine the pain of those who starved in the drought and ended up dying. Then they will know why I'm putting a courtier's robe on the slave." (I don't see how a better calendar would help avoid drought, but I guess his point is about the agriculture in general.) Gim wryly remarks that getting those "gluttonous ministers" to fast may be a tougher task than getting the robe on the slave. Then he asks the king, "Are you fighting this fight for the astronomical instruments alone?" No, Sejong says reflectively, "I suppose it's more for Jang Youngsil...I believe who 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 wouldn't be here either. I am the third son, remember? I was not born to be a king." Then he looks at Gim and, realizing what he's been saying, "You don't agree...Forgive me." "It's a difficult problem," Gim says diplomatically as he finds the last of the books. Sejong takes the books from him and leaves. But as Gim is left alone we can tell that the king’s words have struck something very deep inside him.
Nighttime. "Come inside. Why are you just standing there?" Gim has gone to visit his mother, but he really is just standing there, seemingly weighted down with conflicting thoughts. We see that his mother lives in a humble hut. They talk; she asks how Jo Malseng is. But Gim doesn't answer and instead asks her, "If I said I wanted to give up my post and come live here and take care of you, how would you feel?" "Is minister Jo treating you badly?", she asks; "Does he mistreat you because of my lowly status?" No, that's not it. "Then don't even think about things like that and hold on to Minister Jo." He leaves her, but he's still burdened and brooding.
The next day: Jeongso and Hyang peek in on their father, who's lying asleep and not looking well. Jeongso is so disappointed because they were going to take a trip today. Her brother scolds her for even thinking about expecting a trip when her father is in such a state. She starts to tear up, gets frustrated and runs off.
Later we see brother and sister talking. "Today is grandmother's birthday? Why didn't you tell me sooner," Hyang says. "I shouldn't have to tell you at all," she answers. The queen has been upset all day and "I wanted to make her happy by taking father to visit grandmother." She had even arranged for the royal kitchen to prepare food. You can still go, Hyang tells her; "I'll arrange it so you can." (Oh really?)
Youngsil is working inside. Hyang enters. He's not interested in looking at the stars. He's in a mood. When I'm the king, he tells Youngsil, I'm going to ban everything. Because then you won't need to wear that courtier's robe." Youngsil asks him, "Does it upset you to see me in this robe?" "My father is sick because of you," the boy answers. "You know that? And today is my grandmother's birthday, and she can't even have a birthday meal because of you. And that's going to break mother's heart. Who do you think you are?" My grandmother is a slave now and you're in that robe. "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 because of you? Why? Why?" The boy is starting to cry. "All right," Youngsil says, drying his tears. "I hear you. So please don't cry. I hear you." "This is an order from the crown prince," the boy says. "You're a slave, so don't wear that robe, you just can't!" And he runs away crying. A real punch to Youngsil's gut.
The sit-in is continuing; ministers are in the courtyard shouting in unison. Suddenly Youngsil comes walking in, carrying his robe and hat and boots in front of him. Not wearing them, carrying them. He tells Yi Chun he's returning the robe to the king. "So would you please tell the ministers to stop pressuring the king?" He leaves them and goes to kneel before Sejong's quarters.
"Tell him to leave." Inside, Sejong is told, and then told that Youngsil won't leave won't leave until he takes the robe back. "Punk," he mutters. "After all that I said about not giving up...."
Meng Sasung tells Huh Jo and prime minister Yu, "It looks like we're going to get through this hump."
Jang is still kneeling...then it starts to rain; he's still kneeling...then it's really pouring hard; he's still kneeling.
In the pouring rain, Jeongso is in a marketplace with her attendants; they're all getting soaked. What's the princess doing there?
It's evening and Sejong has come outside on the porch in the pouring rain. "How should I punish you...for betraying my trust and disobeying me? " "Take this robe back," Youngsil implores him; "A slave has no right to wear a courtier's robe." But Sejong won't have it: "Do you think taking this robe back will serve as a punishment?"
The princess is still in the marketplace. She's cold and wet, but she won't leave because her father is supposed to meet her father here. (Don't know why she thinks that.)
Sejong is now holding an umbrella over the kneeling Jang. This throws all of the attendants into a panic, given his fragile health. But he's more concerned with Youngsil's health. "My reign will last thirty years at most, but the astronomical instruments will last for hundreds of years and serve as a pillar that will keep this country standing. I won't give you up...I cannot do such a great disservice to our descendants. We must prevail whatever it takes," he tells Youngsil. "Please don't turn me away." To the side, Hwang is watching...and to the other side, Gim Mun is watching.
In the Hall of Worthies, the scholars are thoroughly demoralized. "Why is he being so stubborn?", Choi Manli asks; "Do we have no choice now but to join hands with Jo Malseng?"
Jo tells Gim Mun, "Ming will have to know. There is no other choice."
Hwang Hee is alone in a conference room; then Gim Mun enters. "Is Jo Malseng the one you want?", he asks Hwang. "Can we get through this if we get Jo Malseng out of the way?" Hwang stands up. "Are you trying to tell me you can get Jo Malseng out of the way?"