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Drama:King Geunchogo 2011

Character:Queen Haesosul,Costume part 5

Actress:Choi Myung Gil

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the earliest clip of Choi Myeong Gil I've seen so far, even earlier than her cameos in Folk Customs and Hwang Jin Yi

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DEAR HONGRANG

GENRES: Historical, Mystery, Action

SUMMARY: First son Hongrang has been missing since childhood. Could this strange young man actually be him?

THIS SHOW HAS EVERYTHING: Talisman tattoos, crazy royal Princes, opium-induced artwork, adopted heirs, shamans, roof sitting, jilted ex-lovers, entitled ‘good guys,’ sachets, barking dogs, guild drama, flowing hanboks, murder, assassins, finger tasting, single tears, and tall, ghostly men.

HOT TAKE: It's a hard ask to ship two amazing, attractive actors when the plot's premise supposes that they might be brother and sister. But here we are.

This show is one of the most amazing feasts for the eyes and ears I've watched in a really long time. The visuals made it seem like I was wandering through a Joseon nightmare, the soundtrack thrilled and shook me to the bone.

The plot is slow, deliberate, and mysterious. the characters are devious, vile, and courageous. I loved existing in the world of this show, helping carry everyone's burdens as they unfolded.

I stand by the opinion that this show DID NOT a romance plot at all, but damn, the scene where Lee Jae Wook shares sticky rice cakes with Jo Bo Ah was one of the most erotic kdrama moments in a long time. Trust me.

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Dear Hongrang 탄금 (2025)

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That Sleeping Cloud, by Park Jong Hwa

Prologue, Chapter 17 - 1961/08/12

“It was just like this, when you heartlessly left me after raising my hair, all those years go.” These were the thoughts in Kang Ah’s heart, as she resented Songgang for a moment.

As she watched Songgang snoring comfortably as always in his room, she began to think odious thoughts. She wanted to shake Master Songgang awake and devise a countermeasure for the unfortunate event that would happen tomorrow right there and then – but seeing his face as he dreamed innocent dreams free of anxiety, she felt guilty and obliged not to wake him. With thoughts flying through her head and worries filling her heart, Kang Ah couldn’t get a wink of sleep on the floor, and only barely curled up to sleep well after dawn.

As dawn broke that morning, Songgang woke up. Kang Ah washed her hair and face, then began to determinedly sweep the cottage. After that, she quietly knelt in front of Songgang and asked:

“I couldn’t get a wink of sleep after reading the Magistrate’s letter yesterday. But since Your Lordship slept so peacefully as if nothing is wrong, were you not shaken at all? You were so at ease that just seeing you made me feel embarrassed and annoyed.” Kang Ah smiled and laughed noisily as she asked.

“In the end, whatever happens, happens – what’s there to worry about? It only hurts my feelings, it can’t be helped. Hahaha…” Songgang boomed as he laughed.

“Then, shouldn’t you come up with some kind of countermeasure? The State Tribunal officer will be here soon to nail down the posts and surround you with the fencing. Forget a person, not even a flying bird will be able to get in! How will you draw water – and what about me?”

“People live life as it happens. I’m already determined to die, so I’ve nothing to be anxious about. As for you, you should hide.”

Kang Ah’s face blanched upon hearing Songgang’s words. “What are you saying? Determined to die? Shouldn’t you be released from exile as soon as possible, so you can take charge of State affairs? Only then can you fix the precarious state of the nation, after all! And where do you want me to hide?”

Sweat dripped off the end of Kang Ah’s pretty nose. She found Songgang’s words too coldhearted.

“Since ancient times, no State Councilor has ever returned alive after being exiled all the way to the border. That’s why I’m already determined to die; once you’ve resolved to die, there’s nothing to fear. That’s why I can rest easy and sleep peacefully. Also, I’m telling you to hide because if you’ll suffer grave disgrace if those wicked people find you, not because I don’t care for you.” Such was how Songgang consoled and reasoned with Kang Ah, who seemed as if she was complaining, resenting him for being heartless.

“Even if I jump into fire and die, I’ll never leave Your Lordship’s side again.” Kang Ah bit her lips and drooped her eyes [in sadness and frustration]. Kang Ah’s skirt seemed to emanate frost, as if brought about by a chilly autumn wind. “You’re already determined to die – how could I then avoid death? I will serve you until death.” Kang Ah bit her lips once more.

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That Sleeping Cloud, by Park Jong Hwa

Prologue, Chapter 16 (1961/08/11)

While Left State Councilor Songgang spent some enjoyable days with Kang Ah in the far-flung mountains in Kanggye, the Kanggye Magistrate from Seoul was demoted to Governor of Byeokdong County as Songgang predicted, and the State Tribunal was ordered to punish Jeong Cheol with wirianchi1

The King’s decree was as follows:

“Jeong Cheol is of ferocious temperament and after reaching his place of exile in Kanggye, he’ll definitely try to get in touch with outsiders to plan some wicked conspiracy. Surround him with fencing, and make sure no one can freely visit.”

After once again seeking favor with Kim Gwi In2 with their report to the King, those treacherous subjects sent a State Tribunal officer to drive the final nail. Taken aback and speechless, the Magistrate quietly sent his right-hand man in the dead of night to inform Jeong Songgang of the fact.

“Liked you guessed, Teacher – your disciple’s been relegated to Byeokdong County Governor, and a decree has been given for you to be fenced in. A State Tribunal officer is here in the village right now, but as night falls and he arrives for his stay, it truly tears my insides that as your disciple, I can’t run to you now and say one last goodbye.

“Tomorrow, the State Tribunal officer will set out to your cottage to nail down the posts and put up the fencing. When he sets out, please have Kang Ah hide herself for a while, so he doesn’t catch sight of her. Honestly, I think Heaven sent her to defend you in your innocence. Without your disciple or even Kang Ah, what would an old teacher like you have done, all alone and lonely in the wide world? I end here, unable to capture the seriousness of the situation and the burden that comes with it. One day when we can face the skies and sun again, good health providing, I’ll send you my regards.

“One more thing. The new Kanggye Magistrate Hong Se Gong3 is a treacherous subject. You may have already guessed, Master, but he is of ferocious character, an avaricious, tyrannical young man. I hope you are extremely careful around him. Please take care of yourself, and always remain in good health. I can’t write Kang Ah a letter for herself, so please convey this to her.

“I realize I’ve forgotten something urgent. State Tribunal Officer Lee Tae Su who served you before – protected you and extended you so many conveniences, is being interrogated in Seoul. With this, I hope you can guess the situation in Court.”

Jeong Songgang guffawed as he read the Magistrate’s letter, then calmly went to bed, as if nothing had happened.

Some time later, one could tell from Songgang’s snores that he was in deep, peaceful slumber. Kang Ah was extremely curious about the contents of the urgent letter delivered at night by an errandsman from the Magistrate’s office. While Songgang slept next to her, she quietly picked up the letter and came out to the hall. She read it under light of the torch, burning in front of the yard. So resentful, outrageous, sad and pitiful was the letter that it left one speechless. Tomorrow, Master Songgang would be fenced in, an awful fate for a Minister. Yet Songgang slept without a care, as if nothing was wrong, making her wonder if he wasn’t being too carefree. Kang Ah felt anxious, wondering how someone as well-versed and hot-tempered as Master Songgang could be so carefree.

1A stricter form of exile where the exiled is fenced into his place of exile without entrance or exit. Hereafter referred to as being fenced in.

2Kim In Bin, as mentioned in previous chapters. The author previously referred to her using her Upper 1st Rank Bin concubinestatus, but refers to her here with her more period-accurate Lower 1st rank of Gwi-in. Lady Kim would not attain Bin status until 1604.

3Hong Se Gong (1541~1598): Assisted with Ming’s munitions procurement during the Imjin War. His surviving poetry remains in the Bonggye Compilation, authored in 1900.

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That Sleeping Cloud, by Park Jong Hwa

Prologue, Chapter 15 - 1961/08/10

After the Magistrate left on his donkey that evening, Kang Ah went to the kitchen to make dinner for Master Songgang. The child stretched himself out at the stream while Kang Ah peeled potatoes, mixed oats and prepared the rice. A joyful spring light shone on this cottage on the lonely road to exile in Kanggye, where lived only old widower Songgang and the child.

Songgang had his ways, but the child always brought him to life.

“Now Master, you’ll eat a lot this time. When I cooked rice for you I always hard-boiled it, if I didn’t burn it first – but preparing oats is way harder than cooking rice. And the side dishes will be tasty too!”

“You’ve had it hard, taking care of the Master all by yourself.” Kang Ah accepted the child’s words with a sense of familiarity. The child went out to the fields and returned with some cucumber and eggplant.

“Can you pick out the sesame leaves?” Kang Ah asked the child.

The child, born and raised in Seoul, couldn’t tell which were the sesame leaves. Kang Ah went out to the fields, came back with the sesame leaves and steamed them. The scent of boiling sesame leaves filled the cottage. From the porch, Songgang watched Kang Ah prepare his dinner, his appetite piqued by the aroma.

“What a fragrant and savory scent! Sesame leaves, right?” Songgang asked Kang Ah as he walked about the kitchen.

“That’s right, it’s sesame leaves.”

“So this village has sesame leaves too. We didn’t know that at all.”

“I saw the sesame field nearby when I came outside with the Magistrate, I just picked some and boiled them for some ssam1,” Kang Ah replied with a gentle smile. A pretty, adorable smile formed by her round cheeks.

“I’ve been eating all kinds of great dishes since you came. I had purple cabbage earlier2 after so long, and now I’m having sesame leaves for dinner.” Songgang’s mouth hung open in a broad smile.

“I’ll go up the mountain tomorrow and dig up some white-ballooned flowers. And I’ll get some shiitake and oyster mushrooms too.”

“Kanggye’s white-ballooned flowers are not far behind ginseng [in taste]. As for the shiitake, a soup would really smell great.” Songgang’s mouth began to water.

“Someone’s working up an appetite. Now have some food.” Kang Ah hurriedly brought his table.

The atmosphere was amicable – not like life in exile, but like an old Taoist hermit who happened to be a Minister, taking his concubine to the mountains for a summer vacation.

“I once had a dream in Seoul that I’d become Kanggye Magistrate before being exiled here, but the artistic atmosphere today is better than being Kanggye Magistrate. Perhaps I was exiled all the way here so I could meet you again.”

Hungry for Kang Ah’s cooking, there wasn’t a dish Songgang didn’t find to be amazing. He began eating his first real meal since coming to Kanggye.

“You take up your spoon and bring your table too. Will it taste good if I eat alone? Let’s eat together.” Songgang gazed lovingly at Kang Ah while he ate.

“When you’re done having your meal, I’ll have the leftovers with the child.” Kang Ah put her hands in his and gave him a quiet smile. A balmy, conjugal mood seemed to permeate the cottage’s pavilion.

“I would’ve gotten myself exiled to Kanggye sooner had I known it would be this interesting.” Songgang gave a carefree laugh as he gazed at Kang Ah, taking a generous scoop with his spoon.

1A wrap consisting of rice and other ingredients covered by vegetable leaves (in this case, sesame leaves).

2Chapter 6

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Deep Rooted Tree said Happy Pride i guess

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https://www.fightboks.com/forums/topic/three-flags-1992-turkce-altyazili-izle/

For those who speak Turkish, someone's fulled translated KBS' Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms (1992)! Enjoy!

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That Sleeping Cloud, by Park Jong Hwa

Prologue, Chapter 14 - 1961/08/09

Kang Ah shyly lowered her head and dropped her eyes in renewed embarrassment at the Magistrate and Songgang’s remarks.

“Master, that’s nonsense. You won’t even ask her to stay at your side, how will she serve you even if she wants to? Please, don’t write her another poem like ‘Don’t direct your gaze to Chang’an Pavilion, the people filling the streets all fall for your beauty too.’1 Didn’t she spend her 20th year crossing 3,000 li to find you, all while protecting her jade-like body on the thorny road? She’s the most virtuous of virtuous women - not even among the noble ladies is there a woman like Kang Ah.”

“How praiseworthy indeed.” Songgang roared with laughter, a wide smile on his face as he stroked his hands.

The Magistrate drank his glass and begged Kang Ah again. “Even if I lose my post and get transferred somewhere else, you stay and serve the Master’s old bones. The Master is now almost sixty years old. How will he pass the time alone, in this desolate village? Will he be able to eat, even if he wants to? When his clothes wear thin and the weather changes, who will be there to sew him the padding? Pour your ten years of longing and sincerity on him from today.” Tears welled in the Magistrate’s bleary eyes.

“This time I won’t go, even if you tell me to. I won’t leave, even if you send me away. When you’re released from exile and walk the path of wealth and honor once more, and you still find yourself burdened and lonely, then I will leave. The man I’ve loved until now was never a rich and powerful Lord – but simply a man, Master Songgang.”

Kang Ah dried the tears lingering on her rather long eyelashes with a handkerchief as she finished speaking. Songgang, listening silently to Kang Ah and the Magistrate chat, slowly began to speak.

“I’ll be sixty years old this year. What other intentions could I have for you, Kang Ah? I’d already forgotten you after raising your hair back in Jeolla, but you didn’t forget me. For these past ten years, you preserved your chastity as you traveled not one, but three thousand li to find me. Your single-minded devotion has moved my heart, like water to the tree. I thank you, truly. Now when I die, I hope you bury my old bones in the blue Kanggye mountains with your own clean hands.”

Upon hearing Songgang’s words, the Magistrate strung the geomungo next to Kang Ah and placed it in his lap. With a twang he began to play a song. At the Magistrate’s first note, Kang Ah responded with a byeongchang2:

“What is love? Is it round or edged? Is it long or short, bright or dark? Ha, I didn’t know it could last so long, that it could reach so bone-deep.”

Songgang tapped the table in rhythm as he listened. The first note rippled quietly, transcending age and overcoming ugliness and the flesh with a clean and clear emotion of love3.

“I feel at ease, knowing you’ll bring the Master his meal this evening.” Such was the Magistrate’s compliment to Kang Ah as he returned to the village.

1See Chapter 5’s poem.

2Freestyle sung verse

3T/N this was so overly poetic I think I got something wrong here...

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Queen Insu (1437–1504), also known as Queen Sohye, was a shrewd political figure of the Joseon dynasty and Korea’s first female author.

A scholarly lady

Born and raised in the capital, Insu was likely taught Confucian moral principles from an early age. Coming from a family with a strong scholarly tradition and ties to the royal court, she was immersed in an environment of learning. Fluent in Chinese, Korean, and Sanskrit, and well-versed in literary classics, her education was exceptional for a woman of her time. She likely learned alongside her brothers.

At around 15, she married Crown Prince Uigyeong, and her father-in-law, King Sejo, praised her as a filial daughter.

Widowhood and regency

Insu’s life took a dramatic turn when she became a widow at just 19. Her husband, who had never ascended the throne, left her with three young children. After King Sejo’s death, his son Yejong briefly ruled but also passed away. In 1469, Insu’s second son, Seongjong, was chosen as king by her mother-in-law, Queen Jeonghui. The following year, her late husband was posthumously enshrined as king, and Insu received the title of Queen Insu.

Initially, Queen Jeonghui, was offered the regency but hesitated, suggesting Insu take the role instead. Though Jeonghui ultimately accepted, she lacked Insu's knowledge of classical Chinese. Insu, with her exceptional education and powerful family connections, became a key figure at court, wielding significant influence. While she didn’t hold an official position, she likely co-ruled with Jeonghui, assisting in crucial state decisions.

The Naehun

It was during this period that Insu authored the Naehun (Instructions for Women), establishing herself as Korea’s first female writer. This conduct manual outlined how women should behave according to Confucian ideals, emphasizing chastity, discretion, gentle speech, and etiquette.

Insu advocated for female education, arguing that it reinforced moral integrity and prepared women for their roles as wives and mothers. She criticized the trend of teaching daughters only poetry and music. However, she maintained that women’s roles should remain advisory and supportive.

The Naehun may also have served a political purpose, legitimating her mother-in-law's regency by citing examples of capable Chinese empresses. It reinforced the idea that women could govern wisely. Insu was thus also able to empower herself and present herself as a matriarch.

Queen mother

When Jeonghui’s regency ended in 1477, Insu continued to hold an honored position as the king’s mother. A devoted supporter of Buddhism, she argued against suppressing the religion, fearing it would lead to public unrest. In 1492, she spoke out against excluding commoners from monastic life and taught her five grandsons Buddhist and Confucian texts, which she recited from memory.

However, family tensions escalated when Queen Yun, King Seongjong’s consort, physically attacked him, leaving scars on his face. Insu took decisive action, first sending Queen Yun back to her family, then ordering her execution by poison.

The ascension of Insu’s grandson, Yeonsangun, in 1494 marked a dark chapter in her life. Yeonsangun, a violent and tyrannical ruler, was Queen Yun’s son. Upon discovering the truth about his mother’s death, he directed his fury at Insu. In 1504, Yeonsangun attacked his grandmother, leading to her death on May 11 at the palace. She was buried in a tomb that symbolically outranked her husband’s.

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Further reading

Duncan John, “The Naehun and the politics of Gender”, in: Kim-Renaud Young-Key, Creative Women of Korea The Fifteenth Through the Twentieth Centuries

Kang Jae-un,  The Land of Scholars Two Thousand Years of Korean Confucianism

Park Si Nae, “Re-reading Queen Sohye's Naehun”

Pae Yong-Yi, Women in Korean History

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Ladies in the Palace, Episode 121 complete!

Subtitles available on SubSource and D-Addicts.

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That Sleeping Cloud, by Park Jong Hwa

Prologue, Chapter 13 - 1961/08/08

“How should we deal with such cunning people?” Unable to hold back her anger, Kang Ah’s lips, vibrant and red as pearls, began to quiver.

“The nation would have to collapse first.” Songgang gave a long sigh.

“The Chief State Councilor is above all but one, what does he lack to scheme something like that?”

“He wants to seize power for his own forever.” This time it was the Magistrate who took up Kang Ah’s words.

“His Lordship is a loyal subject, why couldn’t he leave him to be Left State Councilor, and continue being Chief State Councilor?” Kang Ah’s red lips began to quiver again.

“His Lordship is unbending as iron in nature, so the Chief State Councilor wanted to break him,” the Magistrate replied.

“And is that all? I’m a Westerner, the Chief State Councilor’s a Northerner and the Right State Councilor’s a Southerner, so the Northerner and Southerner worked to cast out the Westerner1.” This time it was Jeong Songgang who sighed dejectedly after he spoke.

“I’ve already made up my mind. From the day you were exiled here—” the Magistrate replied.

“Why would you be affected, Sir Magistrate?” Kang Ah’s eyes grew wide and round.

“I’m a Westerner, so as my disciple won’t the Magistrate here also be pointed out as a Westerner? That’s why he’ll be affected.” Jeong Songgang replied with a smile.

“You mean he’ll innocently lose his post?” Kang Ah’s eyes grew wider and rounder.

“No. He won’t just blindly lost his post, but as Magistrate of this place, he’s given me several conveniences. There’s no way they’d leave him alone for that.” Jeong Songgang guffawed as he answered Kang Ah’s question. His laughs burst from his lungs to the point of speechlessness.

“They exiled you to the ends of the Earth, to this place 2,000 li from Seoul. What else do they lack, to take your acquaintance as their enemy, to go so far as to get rid of him? What a truly merciless world we live in.”

“It’s like I said, this nation’s going to fall!” Jeong Songgang yelled out once more.

The Magistrate gazed sadly at Kang Ah. “Your visit today might have suddenly turned this drinking party into a farewell party. If I had it my way, I’d serve at His Lordship’s side with you while he’s here until the day he’s freed from exile and gets a nice internal post. But no matter how I think about it, that might not happen. Let’s stay with our Master today, and drink until we’re drunk.”

“Even if that loomed before us, why would you say that in advance, and trouble His Lordship’s emotions when he’s already sad? Please don’t say such things again, and just enjoy the wine.” As she finished speaking, Kang Ah poured another glass of the red Gamhongro wine for Songgang and the Magistrate.

They drank another three or four rounds.

“Master, please don’t abandon Kang Ah.” The Magistrate watched his teacher Songgang with eyes that sparkled [with tears] like the stars.

“Abandon her? Where would I go after abandoning her? That was my fault.” Songgang gave a chivalrous chuckle, his face rosy and his hair white.

1The Westerners, Northerners and Southerners are all branches of the Sarim political faction, based on different schools of Neo-Confucian thought and named in relation to their founders’ relative locations in the Capital at time of founding. The Northern and Southern factions originate from the Eastern faction and are therefore more closely related in ideology, so they’d more likely work together against the Western faction.

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Jo Gwang Jo (KBS, 1996), Episode 2

Link: https://dai.ly/k3gD8jfjkaF9ryCSC3m

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omg is subscene back??

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That Sleeping Cloud, by Park Jong Hwa

Prologue, Chapter 12 - 1961/08/06

“The Chief State Councilor’s a well-respected man, why would he go along with making the eldest Prince Imhae the Crown Prince on the surface and have other intentions on the inside?” Kang Ah asked Jeong Songgang with eyes bright and limpid as the stars.

“Ho, ho, ho, even a well-respected man can be moved by greed. That Kim In Bin, the King’s darling. Doesn’t he have to make her son Prince Shinseong the Crown Prince, to get into her good graces? I mentioned that to you just now, Magistrate. But who could’ve dreamed things would get this bad?

“When he heard from the Right State Councilor, ‘Left State Councilor Jeong Songgang’s going to suggest making the firstborn Prince Imhae the Crown Prince to the King,’ he naturally went along with it on the surface, but then he secretly sent someone to tell In Bin’s brother Kim Gong Ryang the most absurd, baseless lie: ‘Left State Councilor Jeong Cheol’s going to discuss investing the Crown Prince with the King tomorrow, and when he makes Gong Bin’s eldest son Prince Imhae the Crown Prince, he’s going to kill Prince Shinseong and his mother.’

“That idiot Kim Gong Ryang was taken aback, and ran to report the matter word-for-word to In Bin. Then that night, In Bin wailed and begged to the King, ‘Please, save me!’ His Majesty couldn’t help but be startled.

‘What are you wailing and begging me to save you for?’ He asked.

“Upon hearing this, she cried and moaned, ‘Left State Councilor Jeong Cheol’s going to suggest investing the Crown Prince tomorrow, and after he makes first Prince Imhae the Crown Prince, he’s going to kill me and my son!’

‘Where did you hear that from?’ He asked.

‘From the Chief State Councilor himself!’ In Bin replied.

“The King immediately sent a Royal correspondence to the Chief State Councilor asking for the truth, to which the Chief State Councilor replied, ‘It’s true that Jeong Cheol will suggest investing the Crown Prince tomorrow.’ Yet totally unaware of all this, I went to the Palace as promised and sought audience with the King. Ho, ho, ho, now that I think of it, I really was a fool. The Chief and Right State Councilors who were supposed to back me up remained silent the whole time, without reaction or response.

“With my hot-tempered nature, I went full force without knowing anything and reported [to the King]: ‘From without, the Wae troops are about to invade, and from within the nation’s public opinion is divided, and so the nation has come to this state. At a time like this, please invest a Crown Prince and strengthen the Foundation of this Nation. In State matters or private family matters, it is this nation’s practice to choose an heir by primogeniture, and so it’s best to make first Prince Imhae the Crown Prince.’ Then, His Majesty flew into a rage and yelled:

‘I’m not dead yet! What are you trying to do, deciding a Crown Prince?’

“I was left speechless. The Chief and Right State Councilors whom I arranged with both lowered their heads and offered not a word of excuse. This turned the King’s suspicion entirely on me, as In Bin’s whines and wails turned out to be true after all. The King kept on yelling and stamping his feet:

‘Who’s the one who mentioned investing the Crown Prince?’

Helplessly, I informed him, ‘It was me - your subject, Jeong Cheol.’

“The moment I left the conference room, I resigned from my post as Left State Councilor and went straight home, only to find a State Tribunal officer investigating my home and everyone in it - as if I committed treason or something. Then, the King sent me on exile to Jinju, but those treasonous subjects said Jinju was too near [to the Capital], and so I ended up in this far-flung corner of Kanggye.”

When he finished speaking, Jeong Songgang took up the bottle of Gamhongro and poured himself another glass.

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That Sleeping Cloud, by Park Jong Hwa

Prologue, Chapter 11 - 1961/08/05

At this point, Songgang could no longer hold himself back.

“Kang Ah, you have nothing to say [on the matter], and being out all the way out here, the Magistrate wouldn’t know the details of this incident. I’ll tell you the full story of my exile, so listen closely.”

“The Left State Councilor is above all but one1 after the Chief State Councilor. In what world can he be exiled all the way to far-flung Kanggye, for speaking truth out of loyalty for his nation?” Kang Ah’s willow-like eyes betrayed a grimace of hopeless resentment.

“Oh-ho, listen to my story! You’re honest to a fault, you know. I fell for their schemes because I was too upright.”

“Who are they?” This time it was the Magistrate who asked Songgang.

“You’ve been Magistrate of Kanggye for so long that you’re too ignorant when it comes to Court matters. I’m talking about Chief State Councilor Lee Kangcheon and Right State Councilor Yu Seoae.2”

“I’ve been in border posts so long, I don’t have a clue about the situation in Seoul.”

“That too. I made great efforts to have you moved to an internal post3, but being a disciple of Songgang, you won’t be promoted too quickly.” Songgang’s face was one of embarrassment before his disciple.

“I’m fine as it is. Now please, tell us the source of your humiliation,” the Magistrate pleaded softly to Songgang.

“I’ve said this before, but right now our nation is in quite a dangerous situation. From without, the Wae are about to invade and start a war – and from within, public opinion is divided, and the factions waste time fighting each other instead of determining a way to save the nation. This is why my friend Yulgok4 had the foresight to appeal for strengthening the nation’s defense with his “Memorial to Raise 100,000 Troops5,” but Seoae Yu Seong Ryong said it was no use raising such a large army in a time of peace, and that it would just ruin the nation’s economy. You probably still remember clearly when he opposed. Now, the nation has come to this state. In truth, he didn’t oppose for national interest, but for opposition’s sake, as he does whenever it’s not someone from his faction [who makes the petition].

“One day, Right State Councilor Yu Seoae came to me, saying: ‘The nation now faces troubles upon troubles, from inside and out. We should decide a Crown Prince, the Foundation of the Nation.’ But then, he asked: ‘The Queen has no legitimate descendants and each concubine has many Princes of their own, whom should we make Crown Prince?’

Without hesitation, I answered: ‘There’s no hope of a Crown Prince from the Queen, but there is an order even among the concubines’ Princes. Isn’t it natural for the firstborn Prince to inherit the Throne?’

Then the Right State Councilor said: ‘Truly well spoken. Let’s seek audience [with the King] and inform him of this, the three of us.’

I asked: Will the Chief State Councilor approve our stance to make the firstborn Prince Imhae the Crown Prince?’

And Seoae said, ‘When the Left and Right State Councilors have the same opinion, the Chief State Councilor can’t help but listen. I’ll set an appointment with him.’

‘Go ahead,’ I told him.”

As he finished talking, Songgang drank another glass of Gamhongro.

1Above all but one (萬人之上), contraction of Above many and below only one (萬人之上 一人之下), euphemism for the Left State Councilor and similar positions of power.

2Lee San Hae and Yu Seong Ryong respectively.

3Referring to posts within the Capital.

4Lee Yi (1536~1584), prominent Neo-Confucian scholar

5War preparation memorial attributed to Yulgok. Recent historical research suggests one of his disciples could have submitted it after his death.