Joseph Kim: Hi, friends, if you are going to watch the drama "뿌리 깊은 나무 Deep Rooted Tree" episode 1,
check below.
Here is the English summary of the video clip from the drama "Deep Rooted Tree" (Episode 1):
1. The Arrest of Shim On's Family
Shim On's younger brother lectures people on Neo-Confucianism, proudly boasting about his family's high status as the King's in-laws and Shim On's position as Chief State Councillor (3:03). Right after, royal guards storm into the estate with a King's decree, arresting everyone related to Shim On under charges of high treason (7:11).
2. The Helpless Young King Sejong
While his father-in-law's family is being brutally purged, the young King Sejong (played by Song Joong-ki) locks himself in his quarters (10:03). He obsessively works on a magic square puzzle to cope with his immense distress (11:01). He feels deeply frustrated and helpless, despairing over the fact that he has no real power to save anyone (13:19). He reflects on all the people his father, King Taejong, has already slaughtered to secure the throne (12:28).
3. The Dangerous Mission of the Secret Letter
A secret letter (or royal message) that could potentially save Shim On is passed to the estate's servants (16:56). A young servant boy (Ddol-bok) volunteers to deliver this crucial letter to Shim On, who is currently away in Uiju (17:50). Ddol-bok takes on this dangerous mission solely to save his own father, who is also trapped in the purge (17:46).
4. King Taejong’s Cruel Trap
Ddol-bok's father successfully reaches Uiju and delivers the secret letter to Lord Shim On (17:50).
However, the video reveals that this letter is actually part of King Taejong’s calculated trap to frame Shim On entirely (23:37). Taejong coldly predicts that since Shim On is a loyal man, he will choose to take his own life (suicide) rather than bring further harm or rebellion to the young King (23:37).
And thes are the main charactors in the episode 1
1. Yi Do / Young Sejong (Actor: Song Joong-ki)
Characteristics: He is the young son of King Sejong the Great, the 4th King of Joseon who would later create Hunminjeong.
Role in Episode: He celebrates the magic square (a number game), a symbol of cleverness used for escapism, and is completely suppressed by the spirit of his father, Taejong, who holds military power. Even in the horrific situation where his father-in-law (Lord Sim On) is massacred, he desperately displays the unique anguish and sorrow that is absent from the famous military lineage (12:58).
2. Taejong Yi Bang-won (Actor: Baek Yoon-sik)
Characteristics: He respects Sejong's father as the 3rd King of Joseon, who shed countless blood to establish r…
And These are the main key words you must know to understand the K- traditional drama.
주상전하/ 전하 : Your Majesty (主上殿下) / Your Majesty (殿下) (0:40)
Meaning: Your Majesty
Explanation: This is a highly honorific title used during the Joseon Dynasty to address or refer to the King directly. Since this word appears once every second when watching historical dramas, be sure to remember it.
어명: Royal Decree, King's order (御命) (7:11)
Meaning: Royal decree / Royal command
Explanation: This means "the King's order." In the video, soldiers burst in and shout, "It is a royal decree!" (7:11), which is a powerful declaration saying, "We have come with the King's order, so everyone stop." Traitor / Treason (16:56)
역적 / 역모
Meaning: Traitor / High treason
Explanation: Refers to a person or plan to betray and overthrow the king and the country. It is a key term most frequently used in the conflict structures of historical dramas.
밀지 : Secret Decree
Meaning: Secret royal letter / Secret decree
Explanation: An order or letter issued by the king in secret, away from the eyes of others. The letter that the slaves in the video are risking their lives to deliver is this very Secret Decree (17:26).