Aim!
What are you doing?
Keep going!
However...
Aim!
Shoot!
It... It hit bull's-eye.
Father, I wasn't able to greet you this morning.
How are you?
How am I?
Can't you see that I'm not doing well?
Because of the incident last night,
I am not doing well.
KING SEJONG, YI DO
MU-HYUL
Father.
Please...
spare my life.
Did you just ask me to spare your life?
I must have been out of my mind last night.
I know that I acted rude, vulgar, indecent
and offensive last night.
Even I can't believe I was that rude to you.
I cannot imagine how surprised you must have been.
I must pay with my life for what I did.
Also,
for I am your son,
my entirety belongs to you, Father.
Thus, I shall not make any excuse and put to death.
However,
I would be committing another grave sin
if I were to die before my parents.
I humbly beg of you to spare my life.
Father!
Did you mean what you just said?
Of course, Father.
Father,
I won't even dare to go against you
from now on.
I solemnly promise that I will conduct every state affair
according to your will,
and I will devote myself
to learning all of your ways, Father.
All of my ways?
Yes, Father.
Would you say the same for my right
to command the armed forces?
How would I dare handle things
like the matters of armed forces?
Please do as you wish, Father.
If there is anything that I should fix, please kindly tell me.
I'll fix it immediately.
What you just said touches upon
all the good virtues
except for one.
Yes, Father.
Please teach me.
Please get up.
Your speech...
lacks one thing.
Sincerity.
You didn't mean any of it.
Am I wrong?
I'm so happy to see
that you're still healthy
and maintaining your insight.
How dare you?
Are you mocking me?
I'm the King of Joseon you claim to have built.
Please be more respectful.
Did you not receive an empty lunch box?
Don't you know what that means?
I never received any food box.
What did you say?
I only received a box that looks like a magic square.
All the cells were empty.
You taught me
the way to solve any magic square
no matter how complex it is.
ONE
Having absolute power over all!
I, Yi Bang-won, am the one
who has that power.
The number one you left on the magic square symbolizes you.
However, the one you sent me
was left completely blank.
I realized what it meant.
It symbolizes
the Joseon without you.
Surely,
I will outlive you, Father.
Didn't you want to tell me
to be prepared for that?
The reason why I sent you that empty food box was--
I do not care what your intention was.
No matter what the meaning was,
that's how I interpreted it.
I believe...
that is better for you too, Father.
After all,
you don't have
any alternatives besides me.
You little...
You seem to have found your answer
for the Joseon you envision.
Yes, Father.
Now,
I have my own way of solving problems.
If you could do things your way,
what would you do?
All I wish for
is to build a hall
where I can study
with wise young scholars so that I can be more of help to you, Father.
Is that so?
So you just want to spend your time studying?
Yes, Father.
If you allow me, I will.
Is that it?
This is the answer you found?
You have no idea
what my answer will bring you.
Okay, do what you want, Your Majesty.
Build a hall.
If I may,
I would like you to name the hall, Father.
Please be generous and bestow a name upon it.
You'll gather wise scholars?
If so...
There was something similar
during the Goryeo dynasty too.
Even though it only existed in name.
I see. What was the name?
Why don't you just call it the Hall of Worthies?
The Hall of Worthies...
I'll call it the Hall of Worthies then.
The Hall of Worthies.
What are you going to do with that kind of institution?
Is that
how the Joseon you envision will be different
from the Joseon I envision?
Is the Hall of Worthies the answer?
Yes.
What kind of country is the Joseon you envision?
I won't let power corrupt the country.
I will convince people with words, not swords.
I'll end up winning their hearts and embrace them.
I will not reign with absolute power
and place responsibilities upon others.
In the Joseon I envision, everyone will have their place
and role.
No matter how long it will take,
I will persistently wait for that day to come.
You'll wait?
Is that so?
I intend to govern with words.
Military power
will only be used to protect this country against outer enemies.
I will have a military as a strong shell
and words as soft flesh.
That is the Joseon I envision.
Reigning as a king
is like a double-edged sword.
-Therefore-- -My method will be different from yours.
I'll persuade my adversaries through debates.
I will not make a hasty decision
and be patient until they reach an agreement--
You don't mean
you will hold the Royal Lectures, do you?
I do, Father.
Don't you know why they came up with the Royal Lectures in the first place?
I know.
The founders of this country came up with it to keep the king in check--
That's right.
In order to make the king their puppet,
they came up with such a thing
with the excuse of guiding the king to the right path.
And yet,
you intend to let them remonstrate with you instead of ruling with power?
Yes, Father.
That is the idea Joseon was founded upon.
Moreover, that's the true identity of Joseon
and the ideal of Neo-Confucianism.
It hasn't been that long since Joseon was founded.
It has been 26 years.
That's right.
It has only been 26 years.
Joseon
could last another 500 years, but it could also fall apart in the near future.
No one can say for sure.
Do you think we're enjoying a peaceful reign
because no one is dying of hunger in the capital?
DId you say you will persuade them and wait for them?
You will be patient and persistent?
And you'll waste your time on things like Royal Lectures?
-Please don't put it like that. -How can I not?
We must hurry and make a solid foundation of this country
and unite the powers.
That's what a king of a 26-year-old country should be doing.
Being the king of Joseon right now...
is not a job
where you can relax.
Secret Roots.
Have you ever heard of Secret Roots?
Yes, Father.
There's a rumor going around in the marketplace
that a secret society called Secret Roots exists.
It's not a groundless rumor.
Father,
do you believe in such an absurd rumor?
Jeong Do-jeon
is the one who created that secret society and--
How can you believe such nonsense?
Both Jeong Do-jeon and his followers
were exiled and the survivors lost their power.
Who would be able to lead their organization?
Jeong Gi-jun is still alive.
He is the one who caused
that incident in the ninth year of my reign.
Jeong Do-jeon's nephew...
Jeong Gi-jun.
Isn't it because of him?
If not for that incident,
you would not even have come up with
those ridiculous ideas of yours.
Aren't I right?
Aren't I?
I don't even remember who he is.
Is he a family member of the late Jeong Do-jeon?
LEADER
My leader.
The letter of Secret Roots finally fell into my hands.
Boss.
I'm coming in.
Okay, come in.
-What about the boy? -I've never seen such a boy.
He keeps screaming.
And he looks only about 12 years old, but he's so tenacious.
I'm afraid we should starve him for a couple of days.
Keep an eye on him.
Okay.
Jeong Gi-jun,
is it really because of him?
You can't do anything.
Jeong Gi-jun.
9 YEARS AGO
PRINCE CHUNGNYEONG, YI DO, LATER KING SEJONG
"It is widely understood among Confucian scholars
that the political system of Joseon
was derived from that of the Zhou dynasty.
All the scholars know full well that in the Zhou political system,
the king doesn't hold much power,
and the chancellor is the one who holds authority over all others.
This is the principle of governance
that Lord Sambong, the founding father of Joseon, built the country upon."
JEONG GI-JUN
THE GREAT SAGE CONFUCIUS
This place is off-limits to unauthorized personnel.
Only Confucian scholars
and Mencius scholars are allowed in here.
-You're the one who shouldn't be here. -How dare you!
Judging by your outfit, you must be one of the princes.
You must be the son of the King.
You are as rude as I assume you to be from your writing.
Who are you?
Tell me what that is!
"Jeong Gi-jun"?
Who is this?
He's the son of Jeong Do-gwang,
Jeong Do-jeon's younger brother.
Arrest him immediately!
Did you say I am rude?
"According to Book of Changes,
the most precious for the sage is to get the place,
and the great attribute of Heaven is life.
What will guard this position for him?
The answer is men.
A wise man serves his country with his knowledge
while a healthy man should give his strength.
The people must carry out their duties
and should only follow the king's orders."
What are you doing?
Are you reciting that believing
that I, the Prince of Joseon,
wouldn’t know that it is what's written on the Administrative Code of Joseon?
Then why don't you recite the next part?
-"The people may be--" -"The people may be miserably weak,
but no force can threaten them.
They may seem ignorant,
-but no wisdom can deceive them--" -Do you think
your father thinks the same?
Does he not bring fear to the people?
My apologies.
He brings them death, not fear.
He even brings death to his own brothers and colleagues!
-How dare you! -Oh, well.
He is not perfect after all.
That's why Lord Sambong came up with Royal Lectures to teach
the principles of Confucianism to the king.
He also decided to appoint historians to restrain the king.
Moreover, he set up six ministries and suggested
the Chief State Councillor be the leader.
He did that hoping the king be a better king.
However,
I heard that your father holds Royal Lectures only a few times a year.
He threatens historians
and make the Chief State Councillor a puppet.
He also meddles in the six ministries business.
However,
I didn't come here to remonstrate with the King.
I'm not here
because your father killed my uncle
and destroyed his achievements.
If he destroyed it,
he shouldn't use my uncle's words of wisdom
as the foundation of this country.
Your father is lying to the scholars who founded this country
since he fears that they will turn back on him.
He shouldn't retain my uncle's philosophy!
He has no respect!
That...
is the courtesy of someone who believes in Confucianism.
Your father
stole my uncle's Joseon.
He's a thief
and a murderer.
Why you...
You're exactly the same as your father.
You use violence.
Catch him!
Hurry.
"Mencius said the people are to be valued most, next comes the good
of land and grains, and of the least importance is the ruler."
"Mencius said the people are to be most valued most,
-next comes..." -Master, there's big trouble!
What's the matter?
You should run away immediately.
You too!
I asked you what happened!
Young Master Gi-jun took the state examination...
-What? -Anyways,
the soldiers are here!
We need to go!
Please don't kill us!
Get them!
I heard Jeong Do-gwang has been teaching
the children in this village.
Yes, sir. It's true.
Where is he?
I do not know, sir.
See?
Even a young scholar's criticism
can make him start a bloodshed.
That is the king of our country.
No,
there must be a misunderstanding.
He would not kill his people for such a petty reason.
It's a misunderstanding.
Misunderstanding?
I will not ask you twice.
Tell me where Jeong Do-gwang and his son Jeong Gi-jun are!
I really do not know, sir.
I will handle this matter.
Judging by how you tried to stop me,
you must have realized what kind of person your father is.
Also,
you must have realized that you cannot save anyone
and that there is nothing you can do.
It's me!
I'm Jeong Gi-jun.
Get on your feet!
Follow me.
Let go of me. I'll go on my own.
Let go of me.
Chase them!
Hurry! Get them!
There is...
nothing you can do.
That's right, Jeong Gi-jun.
Jeong Gi-jun...
JEONG GI-JUN
Jeong Gi-jun...
Jeong Do-gwang...
How did it go?
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
I lost him.
Move these crock pots.
Pardon?
Why would they have something like this in the residence?
Your Majesty, look here!
Read it!
Yes, Your Majesty.
"If the king were to be compared to a flower,
the chancellor would be the root."
"A defective flower won't kill the tree.
However, the flawed root will kill the tree.
As for the defective flower..."
What are you waiting for? Finish it.
"...all you have to do is cut it off."
Your Majesty, the person who wrote this must be out of his mind.
Please, let's go back to the palace.
Keep reading it.
Your Majesty, it's not worth reading!
Didn't I tell you to keep reading it?
Your Majesty!
Step aside!
"The only role of the king is to appoint a chancellor,
and he must consult matters with the chancellor.
If Joseon were to be compared to a tree, the king would be nothing but a flower.
The root of Joseon is the chancellor."
Your Majesty...
"Listen, all the scholar-officials of Joseon,
strive to become the roots.
Be the ones who support Joseon
and cultivate people of talent and choose a wise chancellor.
Aim to become the roots that grow deep down into the soil
so that the tree can flourish.
This is why I, Jeong Do-jeon..."
"This is why I, Jeong Do-jeon,
gathered the deep roots
that are hidden under the ground
to create...
Secret Roots.
Scholar-officials,
become the roots of Joseon.
Be a part of Secret Roots and protect Joseon.
Signed by Jeong Do-jeon,
the founding leader of Secret Roots."
Your Majesty, he's already dead.
This is only a meaningless fantasy of a man who coveted fame and power.
Your Majesty!
This was it.
This was exactly it.
What do you mean, Your Majesty?
This is the meaning of what he said to me
when he was dying.
"A flower is just a flower.
A flower can neither be a root
nor kill a root."
He meant Secret Roots.
Jeong Do-jeon
created a secret society.
Isn't that the hooting of an owl?
Jo Mal-saeng, are you out there?
Why are you coming in instead of Jo Mal-saeng?
Your Majesty,
Jo Mal-saeng seems to have located Jeong Gi-jun and his father.
What did you say?
Your Majesty, Jo Mal-saeng is showing suspicious movement.
Suspicious movement?
Did he dispatch the soldiers
of Royal Investigations Bureau without my permission?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty,
how did you know that?
He is on a secret mission under Father's orders.
A secret mission?
He's secretly looking for Jeong Gi-jun and his father.
I beg your pardon?
I order you,
Sixth Royal Secretary,
to go find out to where the soldiers were dispatched
and report back to me.
Your Majesty, how can I--
What are you waiting for?
We don't have time! Hurry!
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty,
may I ask what your plan is?
Mu-hyul,
I want you to do something for me.
Are you sure about this?
Yes, Your Majesty.
I got this information from multiple spies I have planted.
This is very reliable.
So did Jo Mal-saeng put the operation into action?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Over there! Follow them!
We searched Bukchon, Namchon, the Northern and Southern areas,
but we couldn't find them.
Really?
We would have heard them if they tried to run away on horse.
There is no way we missed them.
If so...
They must have gotten off their horses and hid.
If you weren't able to find them
in all four of these areas,
there is only one place left.
They must be in Banchon.
Banchon?
Did you say they took shelter in Banchon?
Yes, Your Majesty.
I had my men surround the village,
but we're not allowed to enter it without a royal command.
So I sent someone to get permission.
Your Majesty,
the shrine of Confucius and Lord Munseong is located in that village.
We cannot have the soldiers enter into Banchon.
That's an unreasonable rule made by the scholar-officials!
Your Majesty,
protecting Jeong Gi-jun
will cause a conflict with your father.
Conflict...
A conflict?
-Your Majesty! -That's right. You can call it a conflict.
He shouldn't exist in the Joseon that he envisions.
But in the Joseon I envision and for the Hall of Worthies,
that man,
Jeong Gi-jun,
must exist.
Therefore,
you must go as soon as the message arrives
and bring Jeong Gi-jun to me.
Bring him to me.
Your Majesty,
if they find out that we sent soldiers into Banchon,
the Confucius scholars and the community will surely rise against us.
We must catch him.
Furthermore,
if they find out that we are trying to catch Jeong Do-jeon's brother...
You know how the scholars feel about Jeong Do-jeon
and his family members.
Of course, I know.
That is why
I am trying to get rid of
Jeong Do-gwang and his son in secret.
I don't know about Jeong Do-gwang,
but I'm afraid his son will become
someone very dangerous to me.
No matter what it takes,
you must catch the Jeong family this time.
However...
I want you to send my message to Jo Mal-saeng immediately.
However,
keep in mind that I have never given him my permission to enter Banchon.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I want you
to dispatch your soldiers
to the outskirts of Banchon and wait for him.
Yes, Your Majesty. I'll execute your order.
Honey!
What brings you here?
You must be tired.
Shall I take a break?
Damn it!
Gosh!
Right, fire!
Damn it.
Damn it!
My Goodness.
Damn it!
I'm exhausted.
LUCK
You've arrived safely, sir.
Was there any suspicious movement around here?
No, sir.
What is wrong, sir?
Did something happen?
Our enemies aren't easing up.
We almost got in trouble when we tried to send a messenger.
I think we gave their pursuer the slip, but I'm still worried.
This is the shrine of Lord Munseong.
Hence, this is the safest place in Joseon.
That's true, but Yi Bang-won won't care about such a thing.
Still,
he wouldn't violate the shrine
unless he is willing to risk losing all the scholars' support.
Please don't worry about it.
How much longer do I have to give an offering in secret?
I promise
I'll make them pay for their crime someday.
I'm sure that day is not too far off.
Sir,
I finally found it.
Found what?
Do you mean...
It can't be...
It is, sir.
LEADER
JEONG DO-JEON
Do-jeon...
Do-jeon!
We finally...
found the letter of Secret Roots.
We finally found the letter you wrote.
We finally did.
Now we have what we need.
Because we didn't have this letter,
it has been hard for us to rebuild the organization.
But now...
since we have this,
I can rebuild our organization.
Yes, sir.
Now,
you can become the second leader of Secret Roots.
Lord Sambong
is now with us.
I am sure
all the Confucian scholars will join us.
JEONG DO-JEON
Is this really the former King's order?
Yes, sir.
Okay.
What happened?
I'm afraid they're hiding in the shrine of Lord Munseong.
The shrine of Lord Munseong?
We'll enter the shrine.
From now on, we no longer belong to the Royal Forces.
-Do you understand? -Yes, sir.
Proceed swiftly and quietly.
If any of you get caught,
we will deny your association with us.
No one will help you, and you will have to die a traitor.
We must get this done fast and secretly.
We have to succeed without leaving anyone behind.
-Do you understand? -Yes, sir.
Take off your uniforms and wear black clothes and masks.
Your Majesty, Sixth Royal Secretary shall now enter.
Where is he?
He's in Banchon.
Banchon?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Do you mean that my father gave them his permission to enter Banchon?
I don't know if he gave them permission.
However, Jo Mal-saeng's men were near Banchon.
Park Eun is also headed to Banchon's outskirts with his soldiers.
We are...
one step behind.
Now it's up to you.
Hurry up! Go.
Your Majesty,
-do you truly-- -You must rescue the two.
You must bring them to me alive. Do you understand?
I'll execute your order.
Gosh.
Why can't I reach it?
Where is it?
Just a little more...
LUCK
I got it.
Damn it.
Try this.
Wait a moment.
Why doesn't your mother like me?
I don't know.
You should make my mom change her mind.
How can I make her change her mind?
Come on.
Let's just have a baby first.
Stop.
-Don't move. -Please stop!
Don't move.
What is that?
What?
What's going on?
Help me! Please!
-What's with the noise-- -Get him!
-Over there!
-Get that kid! -Get him!
Get him!
-Stop right there! -Stop!
-Get him! -Stop him!
Come back!
-Get him! -Stop him!
-Get him! -This way!
He entered the Totem Pole Forest.
That crazy bastard! Is he entering the shrine?
Stop him!
-Get him! -Get him!
How are Gi-Jun and Pyeong doing?
Yes. They're safe, and nobody knows where they are.
It's just a kid.
There are too many, sir.
Do you want to die?
Those men must have come to his aid.
What is this?
Who the heck are you guys?
You need to get out of here. They are assassins.
This way, please.
This path leads to the Totem Pole Forest.
Sir!
I asked you who you are!
What is the commotion about?
Who the heck are you?
Don't you know where this is?
The is the shrine of Lord Munseong,
the one who brought Neo-Confucianism to Joseon.
Even the Royal Forces are not allowed to enter Banchon because of this place.
How dare you brandish a sword in front of the shrine?
Who do you think you are?
Attack!
Beat them up!
Kkeut-su!
Let's go.
Get off!
Sir!
Let's go! Hurry up!
You little...
Sir! We should go!
This way.
Two horses are coming out of the north of Banchon.
Chase them immediately.
-Yes, sir. -Let's go!
-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.
Take care of this.
I'll chase Jeong Do-gwang.
Lie in an ambush over there.
Yes, sir.
Everyone, that way!
Move!
Stop!
What's wrong, sir?
The letter of Secret Roots.
That kid took the horse with the letter.
Pardon?
The pouch!
My father's will!
The pouch!
I've been searching for it for 20 years.
I can't leave without it.
I will find him.
Sir, please hurry and get away from here.
Sir!
You must find the letter.
We need to run from here first.
Stop!
I need to find my father's will!
I must go back. Stop!
Please stop!
Please turn around.
I need to go back.
Come on! Turn around!
Please turn around!
Darn it!
Most of the soldiers are in the forest to the south of the village.
To the east and north of the village, there are only a few soldiers.
Over there.
What is?
Lord Jo Mal-saeng is chasing someone over there.
I see.
Let's go.
I must find the letter of Secret Roots.
You must arrest them.
I must find my father's will.
You must bring them to me alive.
Subtitle translation by Sian Choi