Learn Korean with Historical Films: “Forbidden Dream” Short Dialogue Breakdown

Table of Contents

🎥 "Forbidden Dream": Short Video

🎥 "Forbidden Dream" Shorts: Meet the Characters

🎥 "Forbidden Dream" Shorts: Dialogue

🎯 Key Takeaways

🎥 Grammatical Analysis of the Dialogue

🎥 "Forbidden Dream": Introduction

 

Master Korean Through the Magic of K-Dramas & Film—One Scene at a Time.

This blog post curates the most engaging K-drama and film Shorts and transforms them into powerful learning tools for Korean learners. I delve deeply into the language, focusing on key vocabulary, expressions, and grammatical intricacies.

However, if you're a beginner or intermediate learner, don’t worry! Start with the 🎥 Dialogue and 🎯 Key Takeaways sections—designed to help you quickly absorb essential phrases.

Stay patient, follow through, and you won’t just understand the words by the end—you’ll feel the drama the way native speakers do.

For an even richer experience, pair this with K-Lingo (K-Pop) and study Korean daily. Learning a language has never been this exciting and dynamic!

 

🎥 "Forbidden Dream": Short Video

[Source] YouTube @무비빼빼로

 

🎥 "Forbidden Dream" Shorts: Meet the Characters

King Sejong the Great (Han Suk-kyu, 한석규): The fourth king of the Joseon dynasty, renowned for his commitment to cultural and scientific development, including the creation of Hangul. The film portrays him as a visionary leader who values knowledge and innovation.

 

Jang Yeong-sil (Choi Min-sik, 최민식): A brilliant inventor and scientist of humble origins, Jang rises to prominence under King Sejong's patronage. His contributions to astronomy and engineering are pivotal to the narrative.

 

Baekho Commander (Hyun Bong-sik, 현봉식): A fictional character representing the military faction within the court, embodying the resistance to change and the challenges the protagonists face in their quest for scientific progress.

 

🎥 "Forbidden Dream" Shorts: Dialogue

세종: "어디를 가려고? 궐에 기왓장 고칠 일도 많을 텐데."

Sejong: "Where are you going? There must be a lot of roof tiles to fix at the palace."

 

(Sejong and Jang Yeong-sil smile at each other)

백호사령: "곤장 100도에 황천길 직행, 보통 60도에 앉은뱅이, 80도부터는 매맞다가 정신줄 놓으면 못 돌아와."

Chief Baekho: "A hundred blows and it’s a straight trip to the afterlife. Usually, sixty leaves you paralyzed, and from eighty on, if you lose your senses from the beating, there’s no coming back."

해설: "관상감 동료들과 옥에 갇힌 장영실, 이때 병판이 찾아오고 영실을 세종에게 데려간다."

Narration: "Jang Yeong-sil is imprisoned with his fellow astronomers. At that moment, the Minister of War arrives and takes Yeong-sil to Sejong."

장영실: "그리 만들고 싶어 하셨던 그 글자들은 다 완성하셨사옵니까?"

Jang Yeong-sil: "Have you finished creating all those letters you so dearly wanted to make?"

세종: "내 정음이라고 이름은 붙여 봤네만은 이것 때문에 영실이 자네를 잃는 건 아닌가 후회가 되는구먼."

Sejong: "I gave it the name Jeongeum, but now I regret that it might cost me you, Yeong-sil."

장영실: "아니옵니다. 백성들 모두가 읽고 쓰고 할 수 있게 만들어 주신다 하시지 않으셨습니까?"

Jang Yeong-sil: "Not at all. Didn’t you say you would create it so all the ordinary people could read and write?"

세종: "자네는 조선의 시간을 만들고, 조선의 하늘을 열었네. 내 꿈을 자네가 다 이루어 준 셈이지."

Sejong: "You made Joseon’s time and opened its skies. You’ve practically fulfilled my dreams."

장영실: "전하께서 그런 꿈을 꾸시지 않으셨다면, 소인이야 어찌 그런 일을 이룰 수 있겠사옵니까?"

Jang Yeong-sil: "If Your Majesty had not dreamed such dreams, how could someone like me have accomplished any of it?"

세종: "아 자네가 만들지 않았으면 그게 내 꿈인지 그 누가 알 수 있었겠는가?"

Sejong: "Ah, if you hadn’t built it, who would’ve known that it was truly my dream?"

장영실: "왜 그리 힘든 길을 혼자 가시려 하시옵니까?"

Jang Yeong-sil: "Why do you try to walk such a difficult path alone?"

세종: "혼자라니, 이 사람아. 자네 같은 벗이 있지 않은가?"

Sejong: "Alone? My good man, don’t I have a friend like you?"

장영실: "전하…"

Jang Yeong-sil: "Your Majesty…"

 

🎯 Key Takeaways

1. 궐 / 궁궐

"궐" or "궁궐" refers to a royal palace used in historical or period dramas to indicate the king's residence and the center of royal authority. "궐" is a shortened, formal literary term, while "궁궐" is more common in modern Korean.

 

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul (경복궁, 서울)

[Source] YouTube, @Directors_drone

📌 Example Usage

"왕이 궐로 돌아오셨다."

"The king has returned to the palace."

"궁궐은 백성들이 함부로 들어갈 수 없는 곳이었다."

"The royal palace was a place commoners could not freely enter."

🎨 Additional Expressions

성 (castle, fortress) – Refers to a fortified structure, not necessarily a royal residence, but sometimes used interchangeably in broader historical contexts.

📌 Example Usage

"적들이 성을 포위했다."

"The enemies surrounded the castle."

2. 기왓장 / 기와

"기와" refers to a traditional Korean roof tile, while "기왓장" is a specific single tile piece. It often symbolizes Korean conventional architecture.

📌 Example Usage

"기와집은 여름엔 시원하고 겨울엔 따뜻하다."

"A house with tiled roofs is cool in the summer and warm in the winter."

"기왓장이 바람에 떨어졌다."

"A roof tile fell off in the wind."

🎨 Additional Expressions

지붕 (roof) – General term for roof, not limited to tiled roofs.

📌 Example Usage

"지붕이 비에 새기 시작했다."

"The roof started leaking in the rain."

3. 고치다

"고치다" means "to fix" or "to correct," and is widely used for both physical repairs and abstract correction (like fixing behavior or errors).

📌 Example Usage

"라디오가 고장 나서 고쳤다."

"The radio was broken, so I fixed it."

"습관을 고치는 건 쉽지 않다."

"Fixing a habit isn't easy."

🌀 Similar Expressions

수리하다 (to repair) – More formal, technical term often used for electronics or machinery.

📌 Example Usage

"에어컨을 수리 기사에게 맡겼다."

"I left the air conditioner to the repair technician."

4. 일도 많다

This phrase means "to have a lot of work/things to do." It emphasizes being extremely busy or burdened.

📌 Example Usage

"요즘 일도 많고 피곤해."

"I have so much work these days, and I'm tired."

"프로젝트가 겹쳐서 일도 많고 정신이 없었다."

"With overlapping projects, there was too much to do and I was overwhelmed."

🌀 Similar Expressions

바쁘다 (to be busy) – Describes general busyness, often interchangeable in casual contexts.

📌 Example Usage

"요즘 너무 바빠서 잠잘 시간도 없어."

"I'm so busy lately, I don't even have time to sleep."

5. 곤장

"곤장" refers to a traditional punishment tool, a bamboo stick used for corporal punishment during the Joseon dynasty. The term is often used in historical contexts.

📌 Example Usage

"죄를 지으면 곤장을 맞는다."

"If you commit a crime, you will be beaten with a cudgel."

"그는 30대 곤장형을 선고받았다."

"He was sentenced to 30 strokes of the cane."

🎨 Additional Expressions

형벌 (punishment) – General term for any legal or physical punishment.

📌 Example Usage

"법에 따라 형벌을 받게 된다."

"You will be punished according to the law."

6. 황천길

"황천길" refers to the path to the afterlife, and it is often used metaphorically to refer to death or dying.

📌 Example Usage

"그는 전쟁터에서 황천길로 갔다."

"He went to the afterlife on the battlefield."

"황천길 가기 전에 하고 싶은 게 있어."

"I have something I want to do before I die."

🌀 Similar Expressions

저승길 (road to the underworld) – Synonym with a more mythological or poetic tone.

📌 Example Usage

"저승길에서도 네가 그리울 거야."

"I’ll miss you even on the road to the underworld."

7. 직행

"직행" means "direct route" or "nonstop" (without transferring or stopping). It is often used for transportation or processes.

📌 Example Usage

"서울에서 부산까지 직행 버스를 탔다."

"I took a direct bus from Seoul to Busan."

"그는 회장에게 직행 보고를 했다."

"He reported directly to the chairman."

🌀 Similar Expressions

바로 가다 (to go directly) – More conversational and informal expression.

📌 Example Usage

"이 길로 바로 가면 돼."

"Just go straight along this road."

8. 보통

"보통" means "usually" or "average." It describes commonness or typical levels.

📌 Example Usage

"보통 아침 8시에 일어나요."

"I usually wake up at 8 a.m."

"그는 보통 사람과는 달랐다."

"He was different from the average person."

🌀 Similar Expressions

일반적으로 (generally) – Formal and often used in writing or an academic tone.

📌 Example Usage

"일반적으로 그 이론은 인정받는다."

"Generally, that theory is accepted."

9. 앉은뱅이

"앉은뱅이" is an archaic or dialect word referring to someone who is physically disabled and cannot walk, often sitting all the time. In modern usage, it's considered outdated or inappropriate in formal contexts.

📌 Example Usage

"그는 전쟁 중 부상을 입고 앉은뱅이가 되었다."

"He became paralyzed during the war."

"옛날엔 앉은뱅이도 군역을 피할 수 없었다."

"In the old days, even a cripple couldn’t avoid military duty."

🌀 Similar Expressions

하반신 마비 (paralyzed from the waist down) – Modern and medically accurate term.

📌 Example Usage

"교통사고로 하반신 마비가 되었다."

"He became paralyzed from the waist down due to a car accident."

10. 매맞다

"매맞다" means "to be beaten" or "to get hit," usually referring to corporal punishment or physical abuse.

📌 Example Usage

"말 안 듣고 매맞았어."

"I got beaten for not listening."

"옛날에는 학교에서 매맞는 일이 흔했다."

"Getting hit at school used to be common in the past."

🎨 Additional Expressions

폭행당하다 (to be assaulted) – A Formal or legal term for being physically attacked.

📌 Example Usage

"그는 길에서 폭행당했다."

"He was assaulted on the street."

11. 정신줄 놓다

"정신줄 놓다" is a slang expression meaning "to lose one's mind" or "to lose control," often used humorously or exaggeratively.

📌 Example Usage

"너무 피곤해서 정신줄 놓을 뻔했어."

"I was so tired I almost lost my mind."

"정신줄 놓고 춤췄다."

"I danced like I was out of my mind."

🌀 Similar Expressions

정신이 나가다 (to be out of it) – Similar nuance but can be slightly more serious.

📌 Example Usage

"그 소식 듣고 정신이 나갔다."

"I was out of it after hearing the news."

12. 돌아오다

"돌아오다" means "to return" or "to come back," indicating movement back to a previous place or state.

📌 Example Usage

"그는 전쟁이 끝난 후 고향으로 돌아왔다."

"He returned to his hometown after the war."

"돌아오면 꼭 전화해."

"Call me when you come back."

🌀 Similar Expressions

귀환하다 (to return, formal) – Used in official or military contexts.

📌 Example Usage

"군인들이 무사히 귀환했다."

"The soldiers returned safely."

13. 관상감

"관상감" was a government office during the Joseon Dynasty responsible for astronomy, calendar, and divination.

📌 Example Usage

"관상감에서 하늘의 별자리를 관측했다."

"The Royal Observatory observed the constellations."

"관상감이 길흉을 예언했다."

"The Royal Astrologer predicted fortune and misfortune."

🎨 Additional Expressions

천문관측소 (astronomical observatory) – Modern scientific term.

📌 Example Usage

"천문관측소에서 혜성을 발견했다."

"A comet was discovered at the observatory."

14. 동료

"동료" means "colleague" or "fellow," often used for coworkers or comrades.

📌 Example Usage

"동료들과 함께 프로젝트를 진행했다."

"I worked on the project with my colleagues."

"그는 전쟁터에서 동료를 잃었다."

"He lost a comrade on the battlefield."

🎨 Additional Expressions

직장 동료 (work colleague) – Specifies the workplace context.

📌 Example Usage

"직장 동료와 점심을 같이 먹었다."

"I had lunch with my coworker."

15. 옥에 갇히다

"옥에 갇히다" means "to be imprisoned," with "옥" referring to a jail or prison, particularly in historical contexts.

📌 Example Usage

"그는 역모죄로 옥에 갇혔다."

"He was imprisoned for treason."

"무고하게 옥에 갇힌 사람도 많았다."

"Many people were unjustly imprisoned."

🌀 Similar Expressions

감옥에 가다 (to go to jail) – More commonly used in modern language.

📌 Example Usage

"그는 사기로 감옥에 갔다."

"He went to jail for fraud."

16. 병판 / 병조판서

"병판" is the abbreviated form of "병조판서," the Minister of Military Affairs during the Joseon Dynasty.

📌 Example Usage

"병판은 군사 작전을 총지휘했다."

"The military minister led the military operation."

"병조판서가 전쟁을 주도했다."

"The Minister of Military Affairs led the war."

🎨 Additional Expressions

국방부 장관 (Minister of National Defense) – Modern equivalent title.

📌 Example Usage

"국방부 장관이 신형 무기를 발표했다."

"The Minister of National Defense unveiled new weapons."

17. 데려간다 / 데려가다

"데려가다" means "to take someone with you." "데려간다" is its present tense form.

📌 Example Usage

"아이를 병원에 데려갔다."

"I took the child to the hospital."

"경찰이 용의자를 데려간다."

"The police are taking the suspect."

🌀 Similar Expressions

동행하다 (to accompany) – More formal or polite, emphasizes going together.

📌 Example Usage

"그는 회의에 동행했다."

"He accompanied them to the meeting."

18. 글자

"글자" means "letter" or "character" (as in an alphabet or written symbol).

📌 Example Usage

"한글은 24개의 글자로 이루어져 있다."

"Hangeul is made up of 24 letters."

"그는 글자를 또렷하게 썼다."

"He wrote the letters clearly."

🌀 Similar Expressions

문자 (text, character) – Can mean written letters and text messages.

📌 Example Usage

"문자를 보내줘."

"Send me a text."

19. 완성하다

"완성하다" means "to complete" or "to finish (perfectly)," often used for works, tasks, or creations.

📌 Example Usage

"그는 논문을 완성했다."

"He completed his thesis."

"건축물이 드디어 완성되었다."

"The building was finally completed."

🌀 Similar Expressions

끝내다 (to finish) – More general and casual.

📌 Example Usage

"일을 끝내고 집에 갔다."

"I finished my work and went home."

20. 정음 / 훈민정음

"정음" refers to proper or correct sound; "훈민정음" is the original name of the Korean script created during King Sejong’s reign.

📌 Example Usage

"훈민정음은 세종대왕이 창제했다."

"King Sejong created Hunminjeongeum."

"정음을 익히는 것이 중요하다."

"It is important to learn the correct pronunciation."

🌀 Similar Expressions

한글 (Hangeul) – The modern name for the Korean alphabet.

📌 Example Usage

"한글은 배우기 쉬운 문자다."

"Hangeul is an easy script to learn."

21. 이름을 붙이다

"이름을 붙이다" means "to name" or "to assign a name to something," and it is commonly used when labeling or creating new concepts or objects.

📌 Example Usage

"이 음식에 특별한 이름을 붙이고 싶어요."

"I want to give this dish a special name."

"새로 태어난 강아지에게 이름을 붙였다."

"I named the newly born puppy."

🌀 Similar Expressions

명명하다 (to name, formal) – Used in official or ceremonial contexts.

📌 Example Usage

"그 별은 과학자에 의해 명명되었다."

"A scientist named the star."

22. 후회가 되다

"후회가 되다" means "to feel regret," expressing the emotional result of a past action.

📌 Example Usage

"그 말을 한 게 후회가 돼."

"I regret saying that."

"그때 공부 안 한 게 후회가 된다."

"I regret not studying back then."

🌀 Similar Expressions

미련이 남다 (to have lingering regret) – Implies an emotional residue more than direct regret.

📌 Example Usage

"그 선택에 아직도 미련이 남아 있다."

"I still have lingering regret over that decision."

23. 백성들

"백성들" means "the people" or "subjects" of a nation, particularly in historical or monarchical contexts.

📌 Example Usage

"임금은 항상 백성들을 먼저 생각했다."

"The king always thought of his people first."

"백성들의 고통을 외면하지 않았다."

"He did not ignore the suffering of the people."

🌀 Similar Expressions

국민 (citizen) – Modern term for citizens of a nation.

📌 Example Usage

"정부는 국민의 안전을 최우선으로 한다."

"The government puts the citizens' safety first."

24. 자네

"자네" is a semi-formal second-person pronoun, used mainly by older people toward younger or same-rank individuals, often in historical or military contexts.

📌 Example Usage

"자네는 요즘 어떻게 지내나?"

"How have you been lately?"

"자네도 그 자리에 있었나?"

"Were you also there?"

🌀 Similar Expressions

너 (you) – General casual form, but can be impolite depending on tone.

📌 Example Usage

"너는 왜 안 왔어?"

"Why didn’t you come?"

25. 시간

"시간" means "time," which can refer to a specific moment or be used as a general concept.

📌 Example Usage

"시간이 참 빠르다."

"Time flies."

"그때는 시간이 없었어."

"I didn’t have time then."

🌀 Similar Expressions

시각 (time, point in time) – More precise or formal term.

📌 Example Usage

"정확한 시각은 오후 3시였다."

"The exact time was 3 p.m."

26. 하늘을 열다

"하늘을 열다" literally means "to open the sky," and it is often used metaphorically to express a grand, divine, or fateful moment.

📌 Example Usage

"그 순간, 마치 하늘이 열리는 것 같았다."

"At that moment, it felt like the heavens were opening."

"하늘을 열고 새로운 시대가 시작되었다."

"A new era began as the heavens opened."

🐾 In this film, the phrase “to open the sky” is a metaphorical expression referring to Jang Yeong-sil’s achievement of creating instruments that made astronomical observation possible.

27. 꿈을 꾸다

"꿈을 꾸다" means "to dream," either literally during sleep or figuratively about goals and hopes.

📌 Example Usage

"어젯밤에 이상한 꿈을 꿨어."

"I had a strange dream last night."

"나는 가수가 되는 꿈을 꿨다."

"I dreamed of becoming a singer."

🌀 Similar Expressions

희망을 품다 (to hold hope) – Emphasizes emotional aspirations.

📌 Example Usage

"그는 새로운 삶에 대한 희망을 품었다."

"He held hope for a new life."

28. 이루어 주다

"이루어 주다" means "to fulfill" or "to make something come true" for someone else.

📌 Example Usage

"신이 내 소원을 이루어 주셨다."

"God granted my wish."

"부모님이 내 꿈을 이루어 주셨다."

"My parents made my dream come true."

🌀 Similar Expressions

성취하게 하다 (to enable to achieve) – More formal, emphasizes process.

📌 Example Usage

"그는 학생들이 목표를 성취하게 도왔다."

"He helped students achieve their goals."

29. 전하

"전하" is a royal title used to address a king in historical Korea, equivalent to "Your Majesty."

📌 Example Usage

"전하, 백성들이 고통받고 있습니다."

"Your Majesty, the people are suffering."

"전하의 명을 따르겠습니다."

"I will obey Your Majesty’s command."

🎨 Additional Expressions

폐하 (Majesty) – Often used for emperors or empresses.

📌 Example Usage

"폐하의 뜻을 받들겠습니다."

"I will carry out Your Majesty’s will."

 

🐾 “Jeonha (전하)” was the title used to address a king, while “Pyeha (폐하)” was reserved for an emperor. During the Joseon Dynasty, which maintained a tributary relationship with Ming China, the title of emperor and the honorific “Pyeha” were prohibited for domestic use. At that time, only the emperor of Ming China was allowed to be addressed as “Pyeha.”

30. 소인

"소인" is a humble first-person pronoun used by lower-status individuals when addressing royalty or nobility.

📌 Example Usage

"소인은 전하의 명을 따르겠습니다."

"This humble subject shall follow Your Majesty’s order."

"소인이 감히 말씀드립니다."

"I dare to speak, Your Majesty."

🎨 Additional Expressions

신하 (royal subject, vassal) – Refers to a royal servant or official, not always self-referential.

📌 Example Usage

"신하들이 왕 앞에 무릎 꿇었다."

"The officials knelt before the king."

31. 일을 이루다

"일을 이루다" means "to accomplish work" or "to achieve something important."

📌 Example Usage

"우리는 마침내 그 큰일을 이루었다."

"We finally achieved that great task."

"그는 평생의 꿈이었던 일을 이루었다."

"He accomplished the work that was his life’s dream."

🌀 Similar Expressions

성과를 내다 (to produce results) – Focuses on outcome or success.

📌 Example Usage

"그는 프로젝트에서 큰 성과를 냈다."

"He achieved great results in the project."

32. 힘든 / 힘들다

"힘들다" is an adjective meaning "difficult" or "hard," referring to physical or emotional difficulty. "힘든" is its attributive form.

📌 Example Usage

"요즘 일이 너무 힘들다."

"Work is too hard these days."

"힘든 시기를 잘 버텼다."

"I endured a tough time well."

🌀 Similar Expressions

고되다 (to be strenuous) – Often used for labor or exhausting tasks.

📌 Example Usage

"그는 고된 노동을 계속했다."

"He continued the strenuous labor."

33. 혼자

"혼자" means "alone" or "by oneself," describing a person acting or being by themselves.

📌 Example Usage

"혼자 여행 가는 걸 좋아해."

"I like traveling alone."

"그는 혼자서 모든 걸 해결했다."

"He solved everything by himself."

🌀 Similar Expressions

단독으로 (independently) – Used in formal or procedural contexts.

📌 Example Usage

"그는 단독으로 임무를 수행했다."

"He carried out the mission alone."

34. 벗

"벗" is a literary or formal word for "friend" or "companion," often used poetically.

📌 Example Usage

"평생의 벗을 만났다."

"I met a lifelong friend."

"그는 벗과 함께 길을 떠났다."

"He left on a journey with his companion."

🌀 Similar Expressions

친구 (friend) – Most commonly used, casual, and universal.

📌 Example Usage

"그는 어릴 적 친구다."

"He’s a childhood friend."

🎥 Grammatical Analysis of the Dialogue

The following content contains numerous grammatical explanations. If you're not an advanced Korean learner, skim through it and don’t focus too much. If you're a beginner or intermediate learner, memorizing even one more conversation from above is better.

세종: "어디를 가려고? 궐에 기왓장 고칠 일도 많을 텐데."

🔍 Analysis

- "어디를 가려고?": "어디 (where)" + object particle "-를" + “가다 (to go)” + "-려고" (intention or plan).

- "궐에": "궐 (royal palace)" + Locative particle "-에 (to/in)".

- "기왓장 고칠": "기왓장 (roof tile)" + “고치다 (to repair)” + "-ㄹ" (modifies a noun).

- "일도 많을 텐데": "일 (task, work)" + auxiliary particle "-도 (also, even)" + “많다 (to be many)” + presumptive ending "-을 텐데" (I assume, probably).

📌 Example Usage

"어디 가려고? 집에 고쳐야 할 게 아직 많은데."

"Where are you going? There’s still a lot to fix at home."

☀️ Meaning

"Where are you trying to go? There are still many roof tiles to repair at the palace."

백호사령: "곤장 100도에 황천길 직행, 보통 60도에 앉은뱅이, 80도부터는 매맞다가 정신줄 놓으면 못 돌아와."

🔍 Analysis

- "곤장 100도에": "곤장 (beating with a cudgel)" + "100도 (100 strikes)" + "-에 (at, on)".

- "황천길 직행": "황천길 (the road to the afterlife)" + "직행 (direct path)" → idiomatic expression for death.

- "보통 60도에 앉은뱅이": "보통 (usually)" + "60도 (60 strikes)" + "-에 (at)" + "앉은뱅이 (crippled, unable to walk)".

- "80도부터는": "80도 (80 strikes)" + "-부터 (starting from)" + topic particle "-는".

- "매맞다가 정신줄 놓으면 못 돌아와": "매맞다 (to be beaten)" + "-다가 (while, during)" + "정신줄 놓다 (to lose consciousness/control)" + "-으면 (if)" + "못 돌아와 (can’t come back)".

📌 Example Usage

"80대 이상 맞으면 정신 잃고 돌아오기 어려워."

"If you’re beaten more than 80 times, you might lose consciousness and never come back."

☀️ Meaning

"If you get beaten 100 times, it’s a straight trip to the afterlife. Usually at 60, you’re crippled. From 80 on, if you lose consciousness, you won’t return."

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"정신줄 놓으면" → "정신쭐 노으면"

해설: "관상감 동료들과 옥에 갇힌 장영실, 이때 병판이 찾아오고 영실을 세종에게 데려간다."

🔍 Analysis

- "관상감 동료들과": "관상감 (Royal Astronomical Bureau)" + "동료들 (colleagues)" + "-과 (and, with)".

- "옥에 갇힌 장영실": "옥 (prison)" + "-에 (in)" + "갇히다 (to be imprisoned)" + adnominal form "-ㄴ" + "장영실 (name)".

- "이때 병판이 찾아오고": "이때 (at that time)" + "병판 (Minister of Military Affairs)" + subject marker "-이" + "찾아오다 (to visit, come find)" + connective ending "-고".

- "영실을 세종에게 데려간다": "영실 (Yeong-sil)" + object particle "-을" + "세종 (King Sejong)" + "-에게 (to)" + "데려가다 (to take someone to)" → “데려간다” (present tense)

📌 Example Usage

"옥에 갇힌 친구를 누군가가 찾아와서 왕에게 데려갔다."

"Someone visited the friend in prison and took him to the king."

☀️ Meaning

"Jang Yeong-sil, who was imprisoned with fellow officials at the Royal Observatory, is taken to Sejong by the Minister."

장영실: "그리 만들고 싶어 하셨던 그 글자들은 다 완성하셨사옵니까?"

🔍 Analysis

- "그리 만들고 싶어 하셨던": "그리 (so, like that)" + "만들다 (to make)" + "-고 싶어 하시다 (polite form of wanting to do)" + 관형형 "-던" (reminiscent modifier).

 • “만들다” → “만들고 싶어 하다 (want to make)” → “만들고 싶어 하시다” (polite form) → “만들고 싶어 하시던”

- "그 글자들은": "그 (those)" + "글자들 (letters, characters)" + subject marker "-은".

- "다 완성하셨사옵니까?": "다 (all)" + "완성하다 (to complete)" + honorifics "-시-" + past tense "-었-" + deferential ending "-사옵니까?" (honorific question).

• “완성하다” → “완성하시다” → “완성하셨다” → “완성하셨사옵니까?

📌 Example Usage

"그렇게 만들고 싶어 하셨던 책은 다 완성하셨습니까?"

"Did you complete the book you were so eager to create?"

☀️ Meaning

"Did you finish all the letters you were so eager to create?"

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"완성하셨사옵니까" → "완성하셛싸옴니까"

세종: "내 정음이라고 이름은 붙여 봤네만은 이것 때문에 영실이 자네를 잃는 건 아닌가 후회가 되는구먼."

🔍 Analysis

- "내 정음이라고": "내 (I)" + "정음 (Jeongeum, the name of the script)" + quotation "-이라고 (called, as)".

- "이름은 붙여 봤네만은": "이름 (name)" + topic marker "-은" + "붙이다 (to attach, give)" + "-어 보다 (to try)" + past tense "-았네" + contrast "-만은 (but, although)".

 • “내가” → “내” (omission)

 • “붙이다” → “붙여보다” → “붙여봤다” → sentence-ending “붙여봤네” → “붙여봤네만은”

- "이것 때문에": "이것 (this)" + "-때문에 (because of)".

- "영실이 자네를 잃는 건 아닌가": "영실이 (Yeong-sil as subject)" + "자네 (you)" + object particle "-를" + "잃다 (to lose)" + adnominal form "-는” + “것 (thing)" + negative question "-아닌가 (isn’t it?)".

- "후회가 되는구먼": "후회 (regret)" + subject marker "-가" + "되다 (to become)" + recollective or exclamatory sentence ending "-는구먼".

📌 Example Usage

"내가 그 이름을 붙여 보긴 했지만, 혹시 너를 잃게 되는 건 아닐까 후회가 된다."

"I did name it Jeongeum, but I fear I may regret it if it means losing you."

☀️ Meaning

"I named it Jeongeum, but now I fear that I may regret it if this costs me you, Yeong-sil."

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"이름은 붙여 봤네만은" → "이르믄 부쳐 봔네마는" (liaison and vowel shortening).

장영실: "아니옵니다. 백성들 모두가 읽고 쓰고 할 수 있게 만들어 주신다 하시지 않으셨습니까?"

🔍 Analysis

- "아니옵니다": the archaic honorific form of "아닙니다 (No, it is not so)"

- "백성들 모두가": "백성들 (the people)" + "모두 (all)" + subject particle "-가".

- "읽고 쓰고 할 수 있게": "읽다 (to read)" + conjunction "-고" + "쓰다 (to write)" + conjunction "-고" + "하다 (to do)" + possibility expression "할 수 있다" + objective "-게 (so that)".

- "만들어 주신다 하시지 않으셨습니까?": "만들다 (to make)" + "-어 주다 (to do for someone)" + honorific "-시다" + present tense "신다" + quotative form "하시다" + negative past tense question "-지 않으셨습니까?" (Didn’t you say?).

 • “만들다” → “만들어 주다” → “만들어 주신다” → “만들어 주신다 하시다” → “만들어 주신다 하시지 않으시다” → “만들어 주신다 하시지 않으셨다” → “만들어 주신다 하시지 않으셨습니다” → “만들어 주신다 하시지 않으셨습니까?”

• “만들어 준다 하지 않았어?” → “만들어 주신다 하시지 않으셨습니까?”

📌 Example Usage

"백성들이 읽고 쓰게 해 주신다고 하셨잖아요."

"You said you’d make it so people could read and write."

☀️ Meaning

"No, didn’t you say that you wanted to make it possible for all the people to be able to read and write?"

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"읽고 쓰고 할 수 있게" → "일꼬 쓰고 할 쑤 읻께" (consonant liaison + vowel gliding).

세종: "자네는 조선의 시간을 만들고, 조선의 하늘을 열었네. 내 꿈을 자네가 다 이루어 준 셈이지."

🔍 Analysis

- "자네는": "자네 (you–archaic, respectful)" + subject article "-는".

- "조선의 시간을 만들고": "조선의 (of Joseon)" + "시간 (time)" + object particle “-을” + "만들다 (to create)" + conjunction "-고".

- "조선의 하늘을 열었네": "하늘 (sky)" + object particle "-을" + "열다 (to open)" + past tense "-었네" (narrative tone).

 • “열다” → “열었다” → “열었네”

- "내 꿈을 자네가 다 이루어 준 셈이지": "내 (my)" + "꿈 (dream)" + object particle "-을" + "자네가 (you, as subject)" + "다 (all)" + "이루어 주다 (to fulfill for someone)" + "~한 셈이다 (it's as if, you could say)".

• “이루다 (fulfill)” → “이루어 주다 (to fulfill for someone)” → “이루어 준 셈이다 (It's as if you made it come true.)” → “이루어 준 셈이지” (sentence-ending)
📌 Example Usage

"넌 내 꿈을 다 이루어 준 셈이지."

"You’ve fulfilled all my dreams."

☀️ Meaning

"You created time for Joseon and opened the sky. It’s as if you’ve fulfilled all my dreams."

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"이루어 준 셈이지" → "이루어 준 세미지" (natural liaison).

장영실: "전하께서 그런 꿈을 꾸시지 않으셨다면, 소인이야 어찌 그런 일을 이룰 수 있겠사옵니까?"

🔍 Analysis

- "전하께서": "전하 (Your Majesty)" + honorific subject particle "-께서".

- "그런 꿈을 꾸시지 않으셨다면": "그런 (such)" + "꿈 (dream)" + object particle "-을" + "꾸시다 (to dream, honorific)" + negative past tense "-지 않으셨다면 (if not)".

 • “꿈을 꾸다” → “꿈을 꾸시다” → negative “꿈을 꾸시지 않으시다” → past tense “꿈을 꾸시지 않으셨다” → “꿈을 꾸지 않으셨다면”

- "소인이야": "소인 (I, your humble servant)" + subject particle "-이” + emphasis ”야".

- "어찌 그런 일을": "어찌 (how)" + "그런 일 (such work)" + object particle "-을".

- "이룰 수 있겠사옵니까?": "이루다 (to achieve)" + possibility "-ㄹ 수 있다" + "-겠사옵니까?" (highly honorific question form)

• “이루다” → “이룰 수 있다” → “이룰 수 있겠다” (future possibility or assumption) → “이룰 수 있겠사옵니다” (highly honorific) → “이룰 수 있겠사옵니까?” (question form)

📌 Example Usage

"전하께서 그런 꿈을 꾸시지 않으셨다면, 제가 그걸 이룰 수 있었겠습니까?"

"If Your Majesty had not dreamed such a dream, how could I have ever achieved it?"

☀️ Meaning

"If Your Majesty had not dreamed such dreams, how could I, your humble subject, have achieved any of it?"

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"이룰 수 있겠사옵니까" → "이룰 쑤 읻께싸옴니까" (liaison + tensing).

세종: "아 자네가 만들지 않았으면 그게 내 꿈인지 그 누가 알 수 있었겠는가?"

🔍 Analysis

- "아": interjection, realization or emphasis.

- "자네가 만들지 않았으면": "자네 (you)" + subject particle "-가" + "만들다 (to make)" + negative past conditional "-지 않았으면 (if you hadn’t made)".

 • “만들다” → “만들지 않다” → “만들지 않았다” → “만들지 않았으면”

- "그게 내 꿈인지": "그게 (that)" + "내 꿈인지 (whether it’s my dream or not)".

 • “그것이” → “그게” (contraction)

- "그 누가 알 수 있었겠는가?": "그 누가 (who else)" + "알다 (to know)" + possibility/past assumption "-았겠는가?" (question form)

• “알다” → “알 수 있다” (possibility) → “알 수 있었다” (past tense) → “알 수 있었겠다” (assumption) → “알 수 있었겠는가?” (question form)

📌 Example Usage

"네가 만들지 않았으면 내가 그런 꿈을 꿨는지 누가 알 수 있었겠냐?"

"If you hadn’t made it, who would have known it was even my dream?"

☀️ Meaning

"If you hadn’t created it, who could have known it was my dream?"

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"알 수 있었겠는가" → "알 쑤 이썯껜는가"

장영실: "왜 그리 힘든 길을 혼자 가시려 하시옵니까?"

🔍 Analysis

- "왜 그리": "왜 (why)" + "그리 (so, like that)".

- "힘든 길을": "힘들다 (to be hard)" + adnominal form "-은" + "길 (path, road)" + object particle "-을".

- "혼자 가시려 하시옵니까?": "혼자 (alone)" + "가시다 (to go, honorific)" + intention "-려 하다" + Interrogative form in the highest honorific level "-시옵니까?"

• “가다” → “가시다” → “가시려 하다” → “가시려 하시다” → “가시려 하시옵니까?”

📌 Example Usage

"왜 그렇게 어려운 길을 혼자 가시려고 하십니까?"

"Why do you try to walk such a difficult path alone?"

☀️ Meaning

"Why do you try to go down such a hard road all alone?"

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"가시려 하시옵니까" → "가시려 하시옴니까" (vowel shortening + liaison).

세종: "혼자라니, 이 사람아. 자네 같은 벗이 있지 않은가?"

🔍 Analysis

- "혼자라니": "혼자 (alone)" + "-라니 (how can you say that?)" → rhetorical question.

- "이 사람아": An interjection that mixes affection and scolding

 • “이 (this) + “사람 (person)” + vocative particle “-아”

- "자네 같은 벗이": "자네 (you)" + "같은 (like)" + "벗 (friend)" + subject particle "-이".

- "있지 않은가?": "있다 (to exist)" + negative question "-지 않은가?" (Isn’t there?).

📌 Example Usage

"네가 있는데 어떻게 혼자라고 하냐?"

"How can you say you’re alone when you have someone like me?"

☀️ Meaning

"How can you say you’re alone when you have a friend like you by your side?"

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"있지 않은가" → "읻찌 아는가" (consonant tensing + liaison).

장영실: "전하…"

🔍 Analysis

- "전하…": Your Majesty

☀️ Meaning

(A humble, emotional expression of loyalty or gratitude.)

🗣️ Pronunciation Tips

"전하" → "저나" (spoken gently, with reverence).

 

🎥 "Forbidden Dream": Introduction

Film Overview

"Forbidden Dream" (2019), directed by Hur Jin-ho, is a South Korean historical drama that delves into the profound relationship between King Sejong the Great and his most trusted scientist, Jang Yeong-sil. Set during the Joseon dynasty, the film portrays their collaborative efforts in advancing astronomical studies and scientific inventions, highlighting their challenges due to political tensions and societal norms.

 

Short Video Overview

This is a key part of the film Forbidden Dream (Cheonmun), which effectively conveys the special relationship between two geniuses—King Sejong and Jang Yeong-sil—the profound significance of their shared achievements, and the struggles and emotional depth experienced throughout their journey. For a deeper understanding, we recommend watching the film Forbidden Dream.