Why?
Does it hurt right here?
You have no right to be in pain.
Prince Gwangpyeong
trusted you without a pinch of doubt.
He told me that he could die gladly.
Even if
you wouldn't shed a drop of tear for him,
the Prince said...
he didn't care.
You have no right to shed even a single drop of tear for him!
Why are you here so late at night?
There's a rumor that Prince Gwangpyeong's body was delivered to the palace.
Could it be...
from our Leader?
He killed the prince?
Did he?
If that's true,
no one knows what will happen now.
Did our Leader really kill him?
Jeong Gi-jun.
You're going past the point of no return.
I feel so sorry for you, Your Majesty.
You're such a pitiful soul.
I also see that
I fell for your trickery.
That makes me so angry and miserable.
Your Majesty.
You made your alphabet...
out of despair for the people and rage towards Dam?
Your Majesty.
Have you seen anyone feel despair or rage over an animal?
Have you seen anyone be angry towards an animal for lacking motivation?
You felt despair, misery and rage...
because you saw us as people.
You considered Dam a human being.
Love?
Yes.
You loved them, Your Majesty. Can't you see that?
Now that you think things will get worse,
you're turning your back?
Do you know why I couldn't leave with Dam?
Because your alphabet was so great?
Because it was so easy to learn?
However easy it is to learn the alphabet,
it's the noblemen and officials who can do something with it.
It's not the public.
Did you think I wouldn't know that?
Despite that,
the reason I couldn't leave with Dam...
was because...
I was fascinated that she wanted to do something.
Of the commoners that I know,
she was the first person I know who wanted to do something so badly.
It was so strange
and I was so envious.
I wanted to be like her.
"Can I be like that if I learn the alphabet?
Will I grow to want to do something?
Will I start to yearn for something?"
Yes.
Your Majesty.
That was the only reason I couldn't leave.
The desire that Dam feels.
What she wants to do.
I thought fighting for that...
would show...
how much I love her.
And now you're saying it's not?
Are you saying that the desire we have is wrong?
Did you give in to Garion's words
that this alphabet will ruin Joseon?
I had no idea you were like this.
When this is all over,
I was going to ask you to let us go.
To leave with Dam,
have children,
teach our children your alphabet,
and live happily.
That was my dream.
That was the wish...
that I was going to ask for.
I am so furious and miserable now, Your Majesty.
I won't do it again.
Never again...
will I say that.
The people...
are different from So-i.
So-i is more determined than I am,
but the public is not.
The people have no will,
and I was putting all the responsibility on them.
I meant to give them power,
but in the end,
I was only giving them responsibility.
I'm the king...
and I was
passing the weight of burden on them.
Did you just say responsibility?
Do you really not get it?
The people.
Even 1,000 years ago, 500 years ago, 100 years ago.
They were always responsible.
They worked from morning to night
and even if it meant they starved,
didn't they always pay their taxes?
They always paid for everything by pain and hard work.
I don't know how much more responsibility you want to put on us,
but it won't matter.
It was utterly painful for us even when we weren't in charge.
How much of a difference would it make?
We want to take some responsibility...
and do something for ourselves too. Is that such a bad thing?
We want to have desires for once, and that's too much of a hell for you?
Your Majesty!
You are...
a hypocrite.
You are...
an utterly timid coward.
Your Majesty.
I still trust you more than I trust myself.
This is
the last self-evaluation...
for you, who is timid and apprehensive.
I know that very well.
But your alphabet...
is attempting to demolish the system that controls people's desires.
You're opening up the gates of hell.
We want to have desires for once, and that's too much of a hell for you?
PEOPLE
SOUND
TEACH
PROPER
MINEUM: SOUND OF THE PEOPLE
HUNJEONG: IT MUST BE REMEMBERED
Hunmin.
Jeongeum.
HUNMINJEONGEUM
THE PROPER SOUND THAT TEACHES THE PEOPLE
The seed of the alphabet that will spread like an epidemic...
Haerye.
You won't be able to find it.
Because...
even I...
have not seen it.
Hunmin.
Jeongeum.
Your alphabet is as frightening as an epidemic.
An epidemic?
Summon everyone!
I have an order for them!
What are you saying we should do?
Based on what Prince Gwangpyeong was doing at Chongjisa Temple,
Yi Do's plan is to print...
multiple copies of the Haerye and translation,
then distribute it to every government department at once.
However much the Confucian scholars or officials object,
if he distributes many copies,
no one can stop it then.
Then we must watch all the printing houses nationwide.
There will be others like Prince Gwangpyeong
who are carrying out the king's order in secret.
Jeong In-ji, Seong Sam-mun, Park Paeng-nyeon
and all the princes and princesses.
Figure out who might be carrying out the secret order.
Yes, sir. I'll do that.
Not even one letter...
can get out.
Any act of murder carried out in this process...
will be allowed.
This alphabet will spread like an epidemic.
It must be stopped.
As you all expected, a normal proclamation...
has become very difficult.
I'll utilize the 8 of the 36 Stratagems of War.
I'll launch both a surprise and head-on attack.
A surprise and head-on attack?
Does that mean you'll try to spread your alphabet in different ways?
That's right.
Does the head-on attack mean
you'll try to proclaim the alphabet publicly
despite the objections?
That's correct.
Then what will be your surprise attack?
What do you mean he killed the prince?
It ended up that way.
What?
You can't just put it like that.
The king...
had Prince Gwangpyeong print out
Buddha's life story.
What?
Not the Companion to the Seven Chinese Classics?
No.
THE CLASSICS PUT IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE
That's how things ended up the way they did.
I think his underlying motive
was to upset and distract the king.
To upset and distract?
Even so,
there's no going back now.
No. That's seems to be the case.
How can we put that plan in motion?
Right.
Who can sneak out of the palace unnoticed in these circumstances?
We don't even know
how they found out where Prince Gwangpyeong was.
To carry out this plan,
someone who has been ordered must leave the palace in secret.
As of now, we can't trust anyone.
We'll leave.
Yes.
You can't go.
They will be focusing on you right now.
You'll die as soon as you leave
and will not accomplish your goal.
Then who should leave?
I can't leave the palace either.
It's a very difficult situation.
JO MAL-SAENG, MINISTER
What happened?
Was it the Secret Roots?
Garion...
is Jeong Gi-jun?
Your Majesty.
Is it true that Garion is Jeong Gi-jun, the leader of the traitors
that are the Secret Roots?
Garion is Jeong Gi-jun?
Then was he the one...
who had Prince Gwangpyeong killed?
Do you remember my earnest plea of advice?
That the King must suspect those
who are the hardest to suspect?
In the end,
you only brought that traitor into the palace.
-Why you-- -And to his hand,
you lost Prince Gwangpyeong, your son.
You let such a disastrous thing happen.
From now on,
I will not care about whatever you do.
However,
as of this moment,
I will lead the investigation on the Secret Roots.
I'll do so even if you don't grant permission.
I'll do so even if you remove me from office.
Even if I must leave the palace and spend my own riches...
What you say...
is right.
I trusted people too easily,
and let their leader...
into the palace.
I accept and admit...
my mistake.
Because of his stupid father,
poor innocent Gwangpyeong...
ended up losing his life.
Minister Jo.
How Prince Gwangpyeong died and what treacherous being killed him,
find them out for me.
As of this moment,
the investigation on the Secret Roots in its entirety
will be your responsibility.
Also,
I'm working very hard...
to prepare to proclaim my alphabet.
Chief Scholar Jeong In-ji is writing a song
about the establishment of Joseon in my alphabet.
Counselors Seong Sam-mun and Park Paeng-nyeon
are studying the Chinese pinyin
to record the pronunciation in my alphabet.
Finally,
what Gwangpyeong did before he died.
Buddha's biography written in my alphabet.
Buddha's biography?
The Type Casting Foundry will publish it.
Your Majesty.
You cannot do that.
Is Gwangpyeong dead?
You asked how and why.
This is my answer.
To ensure
that my son didn't die in vain,
I'll devote the rest of my life to proclaiming my alphabet.
A lowly butcher from Banchon was the leader of the Secret Roots?
Why didn't he announce that Garion was Jeong Gi-jun?
His Majesty himself put the butcher in charge of the autopsies.
How could he have announced the truth?
That's why he was even more furious.
He's so furious and distracted
that he put Minister Jo in charge of the investigation.
What do you mean by that?
As you all know,
Minister Jo served the previous king.
After his father died,
His Majesty didn't dismiss Minister Jo,
but he didn't keep him close either.
That was an announcement of sorts.
That he would distance himself from the previous king's ways.
But after dozens of years, he changed his mind.
What should we do?
If Minister Jo is put in charge,
there will be a bloodbath
just like during the late king's reign.
Is the king falling for our Leader's plan?
Councillor Yi.
Allocate the manpower and soldiers that Minister Jo needs.
Yes, I will do so.
Your Majesty, I must ask a direct question.
Is it true that you tried to meet Jeong Gi-jun?
Yes.
Were you...
going to accept the Secret Roots?
I did at first.
But not anymore.
I didn't annihilate them when I could have,
and I regret it.
What really happened to Prince Gwangpyeong?
Did he die when he was abducted?
He was almost abducted
but he got away once.
He then went to Hamgil-do on a secret mission
and was printing books in Gaesong.
I don't know how they managed to...
But the Secret Roots found him,
and killed him.
Who located Prince Gwangpyeong
and when and how did he do it?
Find it out for me.
Then,
for as long as I'm in charge,
until the investigation reaches a conclusion,
will you promise
you won't ask me any questions?
That's why I put you in charge.
To carry out my duty,
I might have to interrogate everyone in the palace.
I wish to investigate with my own methods.
Do I have your permission?
You do.
In that case, I'll ask one more thing.
Who knew that Prince Gwangpyeong was sent on a secret mission
and about where he was sent?
I told you that you must suspect
those closest to you.
Please tell me.
Who is it?
Councillor Yi.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Can you excuse us?
Yes, Your Majesty.
What happened, my lord?
The king has definitely changed.
Jo Mal-saeng might turn the palace upside-down.
Choi Man-ri is also making his moves.
It looks like the Hall of Worthies will revolt.
Stop what you're doing.
This is something that cannot be done in the palace.
Get out.
What's going on?
Stand aside and show your respect.
Your Majesty.
Buddha's biography in the palace?
That cannot and should not be done.
So?
I'd rather you take my life.
What?
-Mu-hyul. -Yes, your majesty?
Take them all.
Scholars Choi Man-ri,
Kim Mun, Jeong Chang-son,
Sin Seok-jo, Ha Ui-ji, Son Cheok-eum, and Jo Geon.
Lock them up in the Royal Investigation Bureau.
What are you doing?
The Deputy Chief Counselor's orders.
This isn't allowed in the Hall of Worthies, so get out.
Sir.
You should be advising His Majesty,
not causing a fuss helping him create the alphabet.
Didn't you hear? Get out!
The king's openly preparing for a proclamation.
Choi Man-ri is causing trouble by objecting the most.
Also, Jo Mal-saeng was put in charge of investigating us.
What do you think that means?
Just like his father did,
he'll arrest just anyone, regardless of status or crime.
This was already expected
when we killed Gwangpyeong.
Do you think there are good people and evil people?
No.
A good person...
is someone who has not yet been put in a situation that turns him evil.
Yi Do is now in a situation that will turn him evil.
But the way things are going won't benefit us at all.
If Yi Do uses this opportunity to catch us,
who do you think he'll suspect first?
The person closest to him.
Then,
the meaning Prince Gwangpyeong's death has to the king is--
Yes.
Now, he can never be sure...
who is Secret Roots.
Why are you doing this?
Search the rooms.
-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.
Where is So-i the court lady?
Tie her up this instant!
-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.
Chae-yun!
What should we do? Something bad happened.
At the Royal Investigation Bureau...
Only you and His Majesty knew Prince Gwangpyeong
was at Chongjisa Temple.
But the Secret Roots headed straight to Chongjisa Temple
as if someone had tipped them off.
Are you Secret Roots?
My lord.
I have been given a secret mission by His Majesty...
to do his work.
Garion worked close to His Majesty as well.
His Majesty trusted people too easily.
I will set everything right myself.
I'll ask you again.
Did you tell the Secret Roots where Prince Gwangpyeong was?
I am...
truly innocent.
Twist her legs until the tells the truth!
-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.
What are you doing?
Bring all the court ladies who shared the same room with her.
-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.
My lord.
Why are you doing this?
What evidence do you have against her?
You have no right to get involved.
What did you find out while investigating the Secret Roots?
What had you been doing
until the Prince died?
Now,
I have the authority to investigate the Secret Roots.
I will reveal everything.
Court Lady So-i only helped His Majesty with his work.
His Majesty already gave his permission to do this.
That can't be.
Jo Mal-saeng arrested Court Lady So-i.
She worked for Prince Gwangpyeong
and was close to the king.
He's questioning her?
It'll be one or the other.
He suspects everyone, like I said,
or there's something we don't know about.
We must know what led Minister Jo to interrogate her.
Find that out.
Yes, sir.
Jo Mal-saeng arrested Court Lady So-i.
You were alive, Dam.
You were alive. Dam.
I must see His Majesty.
His Majesty is not in.
I must see him right now.
How dare you? Where are your manners?
Do you think a mere Royal Guard can see His Majesty whenever he wants to?
Get out of here!
Your Majesty.
Since Minister Jo took over the investigation on the Secret Roots,
more and more people are being arrested each day.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I fear that there could be trouble ahead.
Do you mean...
the death of a Prince
is not a trouble at all?
Your Majesty.
You fool. What are you doing?
Your Majesty. Is it true that you
allowed Court Lady So-i to be interrogated?
How dare you?
Yes. It's true.
You can't do this.
You suspect So-i?
Do you think that makes sense?
Gwangpyeong is dead.
Are you not partially responsible?
If only you hadn't told me to give him a secret mission...
Your Majesty.
Why are you doing this?
Yes, that's right.
It's all your fault.
Mu-hyul!
Put him in prison.
Yes, sire.
What is His Majesty doing?
So-i...
told us where the Prince was,
but we never told anyone about it.
Then how did they know to go to Chongjisa Temple?
We really don't know.
Do you really want your kneecaps crushed?
-Men! -Wait, my lord.
A while ago, near where the washing's done,
we talked about the Prince's whereabouts among ourselves.
Is the king...
really becoming like our Leader said he would?
None of you informed the Secret Roots of the Prince's whereabouts,
but as Prince Gwangpyeong's court ladies,
you deserve to be punished for not speaking with caution.
Scratch them off the list of palace workers, demote them to slaves,
and send them to the Chungcheong Provincial Office.
Your Majesty.
You cannot proclaim your new alphabet!
-You cannot. -You cannot.
Release them all.
His Majesty graciously ordered your release.
Don't fight him any longer.
Do you think I'll stop?
You're the one who should stop being a sinner that will go down in history.
So-i. What happened to her?
You should worry about yourself.
Don't you and I have a lot to talk about?
Follow me.
Over 20 officials lost their titles for insubordination.
Everyone the court ladies mentioned
were brought in for interrogation.
Ministers, including Choi Man-ri,
and even Kang Chae-yun.
Did you expect this to happen?
It seems that everyone was released.
Choi Man-ri, the ministers, Kang Chae-yun and all the Royal Guards.
The king has never done anything like this before.
Isn't our Leader's plan just incredible?
It's all going just as you said it would.
What about So-i and the court ladies?
They were demoted to slaves and will be sent to Chungcheong.
They were the closest to the king.
I never thought this would happen.
Why are you frowning?
Aren't things going as you wanted?
I'm disappointed, to be honest.
Is this all the king's capable of?
I'm surprised myself.
The king has changed.
He's becoming just like his father.
Yes. That's right.
The harder the bowl, even one crack
will cause it to shatter into pieces.
Yi Do.
Did you really...
crumble this quickly?
This is too strange.
Do you think it worked?
You're an amazing actor.
Not hardly as good as you, my lord.
Please tell me.
Who knew where Prince Gwangpyeong was?
Come in.
These girls
all knew where the Prince was.
And now they must...
continue and finish the secret mission...
Gwangpyeong was working on.
I need your help.
I need to get them out of the palace...
away from the Secret Roots' sight.
But torture could cause injury.
That's okay.
I'm prepared for that.
Right?
Yes. I'm prepared too.
But will you really torture us?
Are you ready?
Now it's your turn.
Don't worry.
Why are you doing this?
What are you doing?
Minister Jo.
How badly did you torture the court ladies?
I thought that I'd rather be tortured myself.
Just pretending to torture was too hard for me.
Take care of yourselves.
I feel much better.
Did we succeed?
The scholars couldn't even imagine that we were involved
in making the alphabet.
They look down on us for being women. They'd never have imagined.
I was really scared when I was being tortured.
Minister Jo's really amazing.
He had his tricks. It didn't hurt much.
Really? Your screaming was so realistic
that I thought only you were being tortured for real.
-What's wrong? -Are you okay?
How was that? Did you fall for it?
Are you crazy? Keep walking.
Are you prepared?
There's nothing to prepare.
I'll leave immediately.
Here. Take this.
You might need it.
I'll take these letters...
and show them to the world.
Even if they open the gates of hell,
and it means I neglected my duties as King,
and then centuries later,
create chaos and confusion in society...
I will release these letters into the world.
For you, So-i,
that one person who found something she wants to do.
And for the man,
Kang Chae-yun, who saw So-i and found something he wants to do.
For the children you will have,
who will dream up things to do.
My future people.
And for...
the generations after.
"What kind of new government and nation
will those people's desires make?"
I decided not to think about that anymore.
That's up to the future generation.
It's not my responsibility.
Right now,
I'll just think about my people.
What is it?
Do you think I'm funny because I'm so serious now?
It's not because you're serious.
It seems more like, "Fine, whatever. This is annoying.
My head hurts, so just take what I'm giving you, you jerks."
How do you...
always see right through me?
Take care of it for me.
I never said...
I thank you for your favors, did I?
Why?
Do you need to thank me for something?
I thank you...
for making this decision.
Then you two can take care of that area.
Can you manage?
You bet. We must.
I'm more nervous and excited than when we were tortured.
Have you ever imagined that we'd have such an important duty?
Me neither.
At first, I just did what His Majesty ordered,
but now I'm determined.
I'll watch the people learn and use these letters
even after death.
Why should you die?
You should stay alive and see for yourself.
Girls.
All of you.
Thank you.
What?
What's wrong with you? Are you crazy?
Why is she thanking us?
I don't know.
We're not doing this for you.
I want to see a world where everyone reads.
Me too.
It sometimes looks like
So-i thinks she's in charge.
It does.
I'll be on my way.
Before you leave,
I need you to come to my place.
Master.
What happened?
He came to me a few days ago at the brink of death.
I had a physician treat him as best he could,
but the wounds were too deep.
Was it him?
Was it Gae-pai?
He said his name was Kareupeyi.
That's not what's important.
Do you have an answer?
You asked if
I don't mind losing what's precious to me while doing this.
My answer is
no.
I can't ever lose what's precious to me.
But,
yes.
I will definitely succeed.
That's just nonsense.
What kind of answer is that?
But then again, you never did make much sense.
To tell the truth,
you were a terrible pupil.
You had no skill whatsoever
as an assassin.
Master.
Isn't it too late to call me terrible?
You pretend to be strong.
But of all the people I know,
you're the weakest,
and kindest.
I'm Ttolbok from Hanjitgol village,
and you call me kind?
When you kill,
you always hesitate.
Master.
Do not hesitate.
In any situation.
Master.
Don't look at me with such pity.
I fought the best opponent.
As a warrior,
it's a happy...
death.
Master.
Couldn't you at least have had a meal with me before you went?
Don't look at me with such pity.
I fought the best opponent.
As a warrior,
it's a happy...
death.
That's right.
That's so you.
That was a death that suits the greatest swordsman of Joseon.
What do you think?
About what?
About our Leader.
Should we keep going like this?
What crafty speech are you trying to test me with today?
Is this why you called me?
Then I think I should go.
Aren't you...
thinking what I'm thinking?
We think the same thing?
Do you know what I think?
If we go on like this,
the Secret Roots will disband.
The sense of crisis.
Don't you feel it?
Are you saying the problem is our Leader?
If the alphabet will only cause harm and chaos,
we can establish the chancellor system
and use that system to block its proclamation.
We shouldn't be pushing so hard to stop it.
The Secret Roots elders,
when they heard our Leader killed Gwangpyeong,
they started having other ideas.
They always were disloyal folks.
And you're the same.
Come on.
We're not doing this for our safety or honor.
The responsible people of the Secret Roots like you and I...
we must think about the next phase.
The next phase?
After what?
Our Leader...
is risking his life on preventing the new alphabet from spreading.
I'm talking about what will happen after that.
Which of the ministers and officials do you suspect?
What about you, Your Majesty?
You want me to speak first?
I don't want to. You go first.
I suspect
Second Counselor Sim Jong-su.
Sim Jong-su?
I have doubts about Third State Councillor Yi Sin-jeok.
Do you have any circumstantial or direct evidence?
Do you have any on Sim Jong-su?
No, Your Majesty.
I just suspect him.
Keep a close eye on those two.
Prince Suyang, Prince Imyeong,
Prince Anpyeong, Princess Jeongeui,
Kim Su-on, Kwon Jae and...
There are so many.
These are the people outside the palace who could be helping the king.
Did you get people to keep watch on all of them?
Yes, it's been arranged.
If anyone acts suspiciously, alert us immediately...
No.
If it's urgent, deal with it first and then report to us.
Yes, I understand.
What?
You have something to say?
It's just an idea I had.
Speak up.
The court ladies.
Who? The court ladies?
The ones banished from the palace.
Oh, those poor innocent girls.
It's such a pity.
We know very well that they aren't with us.
They'll think it's unfair.
What about it?
That's the thing.
The girls were exiled for something they didn't do.
They must be resentful.
-So? -So,
if we brought them to our side,
they'd be of great use.
Do you...
like...
that girl?
That's preposterous.
No.
It's possible. You're a man.
Why wouldn't you like her?
I'm sorry for speaking nonsense.
No.
Do it.
Take Kkeok-seo to where they were sent.
Pardon? Will you really bring the girls to our side?
Ttolbok.
How are the preparations going?
Why do you have a rice paddle?
-I'm cooking rice. -For me?
No.
Then for whom?
You have to bring them now.
What?
CHUNGCHEONG PROVINCIAL OFFICE
What is it?
They say there are no new slaves.
I have always wanted to do this.
-Be a shaman? -Yes.
Don't you think the outfit is so colorful?
Well? Aren't I pretty?
You are. You could even pass for one.
Will this do?
My goodness.
Can't you draw more neatly?
This is why I wanted to bring Deok-geum.
Then you draw it instead.
That's mine.
-It's ours. -Share.
It's not all for you.
I know you're all eating...
Okay, listen to me while you eat.
Attention.
Do all of you beggars want to end up getting slaughtered as you eat?
Attention!
Who's the leader?
Is it you?
So, what is it that we must do?
Okay, so the thing is...
Why did you bring them here?
You can all sing, can't you?
You bet. What singing beggar can't sing?
Is it ready?
My arm aches.
What about the singing beggars?
They're all taken care of. Now for the kids.
According to Lord Sim Jong-su,
Seong Sam-mun, Park Paeng-nyeon, and Jeong In-ji...
they're all stuck in the palace.
Who is working in secret on the king's behalf?
I just can't tell.
The princes and princesses,
the people on your list.
Are you watching them all?
Yes. I'm getting constant reports,
but no one's up to anything.
Who could still be at work?
Sir, they're gone.
They're gone? What do you mean?
The court ladies that were sent as slaves aren't at any provincial office.
What do you mean?
Did they all escape or something?
Oh dear.
No way.
It can't be.
He gave a mission to the court ladies?
Ga, gya, geo, gyeo I have nowhere to go now
I am now without a home
Go, gyo, gu, gyu My poor love worked so hard
I feel so pitiful for him
Na, nya, neo, nyeo Let's ride on donkeys
Shall we go sightseeing all over the country?
No, nyo, nu, nyu Let us play while we're young
When you get older No, you can't play anymore
Did you say...
my alphabet's like an epidemic, Jeong Gi-jun?
It's the court ladies. They're on the special mission.
Yes.
Just like an epidemic,
it will spread.
Subtitle translation by You-jin Lim