[Drama 2016] Jang Yeong-Sil 장영실

[Misstwilightfan1416]

Episode 23 Preview

Credit: MyloveKBS

[Mico Ricco]

episode 21

AGB 12.0%

TNmS 10.1%

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

episode 22

AGB 10.4%

TNmS 9.5%

[tikamacika]

 

[badsmuler]

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Jang Yeong-sil - Drama" Episode 22

2016/03/19

Once again, Yeong-sil lounges around just in the peripheral issue of major political questions, this time out on the frontier. Nothing immediately important happens. There ends up being a timeskip following a somewhat anticlimactic death scare for King Sejong, leading me to believe that "Jang Yeong-sil - Drama" focuses on certain historical incidents more out of obligation than because of actual relevancy.

Even the science is fairly lacking this episode, because Yeong-sil's water clock is remarkable less for being new and more for having a very elaborate diarama style design. It's always worth mentioning that the set builders for "Jang Yeong-sil - Drama" are pretty exceptionally competent. The clock is the work of a true artisan. Yeong-sil is, regrettably, not actually an artisan, so I find it strange how these kinds of innovations are always ascribed to Yeong-sil personally.

The greater point here, though, is on the visibility of science and why that's important. Most of the clock designs we've seen so far are, in addition to being intricate, fairly obscutory. When the Chinese couldn't figure out how their own legendary water clock worked, part of this was due to the design not being all that intuitive. While a good scientific engineer could break the clock apart, to a normal person the functionality was practically witchcraft, because it wasn't clear what was causing the moving pieces to move in a predictable pattern.

Yeong-sil's new clock does make the water element reasonably obvious, hidden as that aspect is among the clock's more elaborate details. But an even better example is the Korean alphabet, as "Jang Yeong-sil - Drama" finally hits upon a plausible geo-political conflict. China finds the notion of a Korean alphabet to be offensive, because as they see it, the Chinese alphabet is perfection that should be considered inalterable. All of this ties into social control. Just as Korean elites seek to control the education of the lower classes, so to do the Chinese wish to control Korea for the same reasons.

This is all a very good analogy that suddenly makes the motivation of the villains in "Jang Yeong-sil - Drama" make a lot more sense. Although I still don't approve of the drama's tendency to center major scientific breakthroughs around arson and swordfights, the material is interesting thematically and presented in such a way that the political stakes feel quite real. I just wish that we'd gotten to this point a lot sooner- where long-term strategic thinking is the main motivation point rather than generic spite.

Review by William Schwartz

Credit : http://www.hancinema.net/hancinema-s-drama-review-jang-yeong-sil--drama-episode-22-92593.html

[gerrytan8063]

Episode 22

Heum Gyeong Gak Ru (흠경각루, 欽敬閣漏) was an astronomical clock that Jang Yeong Sil built in 1438 (20th reign of Sejong) & was name after the Heum Gyeong Gak (흠경각,欽敬閣, Heum Gyeong Gak Pavilion) where is was house

The self automated astronomical clock (Cheon Sang Si Gye, 천상시계,天象時計) ) built for the King & was given the name Ok Ru (옥루,玉漏, as the King is refer to as Ok Jae, 옥체, 玉體 , His majesty). Heum Gyeong Gak (흠경각,欽敬閣, Heum Gyeong Gak pavilion) is in premises of Cheonchujeon 천추전(千秋殿) in Gyeongbokgung palace

It is a pity that Jang Yeong Sil Heum Gyeong Gak Nu (흠경각루,欽敬閣漏) was burnt down during a fire in 1553, in the reign of Myeongjong. There is still no clear reasoning into why this self automated astronomical clock was built 

On the reason on why Jang Yeong Sil had place that tilting water trough or leaning vessel (Ki Gi ,기기, 欹器) ) & the Hwang Hee & Yi Cheon had warn & caution Jang Yeong Sil on his implications

This saying "水少则倾， 中则正， 满则覆。 人君可置于座右以为戒."  is taken from the book of Xunzi (荀子,  is an ancient Chinese collection of philosophical writings attributed to the 3BC Realist Confucian philosopher Xun Kuang ( 荀況 ), he was seen as a "rival" to Mencius- 孟子 )

"水少则倾， 中则正， 满则覆。 人君可置于座右以为戒" (This is to indicated to an admonitory vessel)

On a visit to the temple of Duke Huan of the State of Lu, Confucius came upon a "leaning vessel" He asked the keeper of the temple about it. "What "vessel" is this?" The Keeper answers " This vessel is put on the right side of one's seat to serve as an admonitory purpose" Then Confucius said "I have heard that such an admonitory vessel would lean to one side when it is empty, stand upright when its content are just about the right amount & falls down when it is full. Confucius turn to his disciple & instruct them "Pour water into it (vessel") His disciple ladled water into the vessel & when the amount was neither too little nor too much, the vessel stood upright at the right amount. When the vessel is full, it fell down & emptied the water. When it was empty, it return to leaned to one side again

Confucius heave with a sigh "Alas! A fall is inevitable for one who is too full of his own worth"

Now you mostly seen this "vessel" in water theme park

The present reigning Ming Emperor is Emperor Zhengtong (1435-1449), also known as Zhu Qizhen ( 朱祁鎮 ). He is the only Ming Emperor who have 2 reign as he rule his 2nd reign as Emperor Tianshun (1457-1464). His temple name is Emperor Yingzong ( 英宗 )

This Emperor is feature in as a lead in the Chinese drama Imperial Doctress

[gerrytan8063]

End of Episode 22

They are going to sabotage the wheel

 

[Misstwilightfan1416]

Episode 23 Video Clips

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84qyEtimvJ4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTpAF0yPIjE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EgF48z0o9Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0_4WjC1pB4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNSIN_VImJY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIA3I9XSqPw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7izat_FeCvM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szP-bvZRvfs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_w8yx1vxRI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKKddY3b2Xc

Credit: DramaKBS

 

[Blizzardistkaputt]

Is that the actual design of the sedan/palanquin? It looks like those in the Han Dynasty.

....contemplating skipping the last episode...it's gonna be sad.

[badsmuler]

Rating Ep. 23 ( nationwide ) : 11.9 % ( + 1.5 % )

Credit : AGB Nielsen

[gerrytan8063]

@Blizzardistkaputt

"Is that the actual design of the sedan/palanquin? It looks like those in the Han Dynasty. "

The carriage is actually the Joseon Bonghwang Gama (봉황가마,鳳橋)  on wheels

Horse drawn Nian carriage that was use by Ming Dynasty Emperors

Horse carriage with driver and attendant. Bronze model. Eastern Han Dynasty (2nd AD). Excavated 1969 at Wu-Wei, Gansu, China.

[gerrytan8063]

End of Episode 23

Sejong meets JYS

Sejong: Didn't make you a Dangsanggwan (당상관,堂上官)...that you choose to "resent" on the carriage.....for the sake of conjuring up such preposterous allegations...must be really hard for you.....as of now....I will relinquished you from all your assignments (숙제). The meaning to that leaning vessel (Ki Gi ,기기, 欹器) is for you just like the water to be emptied (dispose)

Dangsanggwan (당상관,堂上官) is the officialdom of Higher 3rd rank & collectively known as "palace ascendable officials" because their rank authorised them to participate in discussion parties with the King on governmental policies at the palace halls

Seo Jang Geum (Daejanggeum) was appointed this rank to be the physician in charge of Jungjong

[badsmuler]

[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Jang Yeong-sil - Drama" Episode 23

2016/03/20

Yeong-sil struggles with another of the usual engineering problems for his current clock design as he works on a deadline. In an ideal world, this is all Yeong-sil would have to worry about. But in "Jang Yeong-sil - Drama", the scientist ends up being forced to think in terms of geopolitical questions. This time around, after deciding that they find Yeong-sil's super diorama clock to be more cool than morally offensive, the Chinese attempt to poach him as their own scientist.

Given all the political backstabbing that has dogged Yeong-sil at every turn, his inevitable refusal of the job offer comes off as less than convincing. I, too, remember way back in the beginning of the drama, when a frustrated Yeong-sil was trying to shove off to China in the hopes he would better be able to explore scientific discovery there. And what's changed since then? The conspiracies have only gotten more elaborate and absurd as time goes on, culminating here with disasters involving poor wheelcraft. Which again, is probably not something Yeong-sil should be responsible for.

In all fairness the wheel sabotage is one of the less outlandish plot points in Yeong-sil, since reasonably convincing context was at least set up in advance. In "Jang Yeong-sil - Drama" the problem has always been less the extremity of any individual plot point and more how new equally violent confrontations manage to pop up again after we've barely had enough time to recover from the last crisis.

This is especially difficult to forgive given that there have been several timeskips lately. Considering how Yeong-sil has obtained a fairly respected position among many of his contemporaries, that would seem to imply that Yeong-sil has been practicing science in peace for some time now. So why is "Jang Yeong-sil - Drama" making it seem like Yeong-sil was under constant threat of death when this obviously was not the case? The real-life personage could have been the victim of a dozen attempted murders and even then he still would have spent most of his time doing research and career building.

Maybe I'm just a weirdo who thought after the first few episodes of "Jang Yeong-sil - Drama" that the focus would be on science. All I know is that the current physically dangerous crisis Yeong-sil is in lacks urgency because I've seen it too many times by now. I also know that as an old man Yeong-sil will still traverse the landscape trying to accurately forecast eclipses, so there's no tension that way either.

Review by William Schwartz
 

Credit : http://www.hancinema.net/hancinema-s-drama-review-jang-yeong-sil--drama-episode-23-92611.html
 

[Chellsee]

 

[gerrytan8063]

After the dismissal of Jang Yeong Sil...24th reign Sejong the Great in 1442

This clips is taken from the drama Sejong the Great, I always think that this is a better version on how Hangeul was created while Sejong recuperated in Jingwansa Temple ( 진관사, 津寬寺) 

Starting from 4:26.....

 

Jingwansa Temple ( 진관사,津寬寺)....Directions Take Line 3 to Gupabal Station then Exit 3. Take bus # 7724 (green bus) to Jingwansa Temple (final stop)

[gerrytan8063]

Sejong the Great created the hangeul consonant alphabet then explains the vowels

 

[Misstwilightfan1416]

Episode 19

Credit: KBS World TV

[SMP567]

 

3 hours ago, gerrytan8063 said:

After the dismissal of Jang Yeong Sil...24th reign Sejong the Great in 1442

This clips is taken from the drama Sejong the Great, I always think that this is a better version on how Hangeul was created while Sejong recuperated in Jingwansa Temple ( 진관사, 津寬寺) 

 

It is very nice to see once more parts of this wonderful drama ( Sejong the Great ). Thank you very much, @gerrytan8063.

In your first clip, those little monks following King Sejong while he was creating hangeul were so cute.  The second clip showed how the queen helped Sejong with the creation.

Hunminjeongeum (The Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People)

Hunminjeongeum Manuscript. The pages shown here contain a commentary on the three sounds, first, middle and last, that form the sound of a Korean character.

Hangul is the only alphabet made in less than a decade, without any influence from other. It is also made by one ruler, and published with its grammatical system. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) acknowledged this fact and have started to praise it by including the Hunminjeongeum, the Korean script, in its Memory of the World Register List. Additionally, it established the King Sejong Award, which recognizes a person or an organization that contributes to the crusade against illiteracy.

 Furthermore, Hangul is scientifically the most perfect alphabet according to Oxford University’s Department of Linguistics. It was made to resemble human’s vocal organs including tongue, teeth, and the roof of the mouth. Additionally, it is an orderly and relatively error-free system. This was possible because it is the only set of characters that came with an example and grammar book written by the inventor. Hangul is also the most proper alphabet for spoken languages that do not yet have a written-form. UNESCO selected Hangul as the alphabet for about 2,900 spoken languages in part of their Babel Project. This project is run to prevent the extinction of minority languages. 

  On July 17th, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) officially adopted the Korean Chun-Ji-In keyboard as one of the global standard alphabets. It is the first among non-Latin-based alphabets. If a keyboard becomes a global standard, it can be freely set in devices made by international factories.

Excerpts from http://www.dgupost.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1659

More info on Hangeul:

Spoiler

Hangeul is the name of the Korean writing system and alphabet, which consists of letters inspired by the shapes formed by the human vocal organs during speech, making it very easy to learn and use. Hangeul was promulgated in 1446 by King Sejong, who helped devise it and named it Hunminjeongeum, or The Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People. It was also in that same year that he ordered his scholars to publish The Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon (Explanatory Edition) to provide detailed explanations of the purpose and guiding principles of the new writing system. One of these manuscripts is currently in the collection of the Kansong Art Museum and was included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in 1997.

The invention of the Hunminjeongeum opened up a broad new horizon for all the Korean people, even women and those in the lowest social class, enabling them to learn to read and write and express themselves fully. The Hunminjeongeum alphabet originally consisted of 28 letters, but only 24 are used now. In 1989, UNESCO joined the Korean government to create the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize, which it awards to organizations or individuals who display great merit and achieve particularly effective results in contributing to the promotion of literacy.

Ref:http://www.korea.net/AboutKorea/Culture-and-the-Arts/UNESCO-Treasures-in-Korea

 

 

 

[gerrytan8063]

@SMP567

"Hangeul is the name of the Korean writing system and alphabet, which consists of letters inspired by the shapes formed by the human vocal organs during speech, making it very easy to learn and use."

I had put this question to the Koreans before that technically with Hangeul, Korean will be able to learn another language with ease, but yet Koreans aren't mastery of other languages

I come from an environment that I had to speak multiple language/dialects. I suppose it will give me a good ear for languages.....Having 2 set of Grandparents & relatives that speak different Chinese provincial dialect & having to converse with them in those dialect.  A country that is multi-ethnic that have a National language & English being the 2nd language. A job that you had to travel & communication is easier if you speak the local language & having to bear in mind the individualistic of each language in its structure & its rules

[Misstwilightfan1416]

Episode 20

Credit: KBS World TV

[Blizzardistkaputt]

On 3/21/2016 at 8:49 AM, gerrytan8063 said:

@Blizzardistkaputt

"Is that the actual design of the sedan/palanquin? It looks like those in the Han Dynasty. "

The carriage is actually the Joseon Bonghwang Gama (봉황가마,鳳橋)  on wheels

Horse drawn Nian carriage that was use by Ming Dynasty Emperors

Horse carriage with driver and attendant. Bronze model. Eastern Han Dynasty (2nd AD). Excavated 1969 at Wu-Wei, Gansu, China.

 

ohh, this is one version of the horse carriage from the Han Dynasty which they also use in the battlefield. There was another more elaborate carriage, double yoke like the Gama. That's how the eunuchs were able to hide the dead Qinshihuang with salted fish in the carriage.

I am just curious why they choose to abandon this design and settle for a palanquin carried by four men in the latter years.