The story of the young King Sejong that we didn't know about
Sejong, who is respected as the greatest king in our history,
Even he, who seemed to have everything perfect, had times when his heart was always pounding and he felt awkward.

King Sejong, who achieved numerous achievements including the creation of Hangul, is the greatest king of the Joseon Dynasty and the most praised king in our history.
However, Sejong's early years as king were neither happy nor successful.
Sejong, who was suddenly crowned crown prince after his older brother, Prince Yangnyeong, was deposed from the position of crown prince, and became king two months later.
Compared to Prince Yangnyeong, who had been trained as a crown prince for over ten years, he became king with little preparation and experience, and every moment was filled with anxiety and worry.

『Rookie King Sejong』 contains the story of King Sejong from the spring to the winter of the following year after he ascended to the throne.
This novel, which combines the records of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty with the author's imagination, sheds light on a new and unfamiliar side of King Sejong, who seemed like a perfect king from the beginning.
A son who wanted to receive his father's praise and recognition, a younger brother who wanted to learn from his older brother's strengths, a king who grew up making mistakes and feeling ashamed...
The story of Sejong, who is experiencing his rookie years just like us, is simple but resonates deeply.

Another sigh escaped the king's lips.
“Whew….”
The king said that a king must have a heart as cold as ice.
What is a cold heart?
It is a powerful monarch who can command civil and military officials and lead Joseon and all its people on the same path.
The king shook his head, thinking that he was still not worthy of the former king's castle.
At that time, an owl cried out from the top of the Changdeokgung Palace.
'Owl, owl, owl.'
The owl's hooting further disturbed the king's complicated mind.
I already hated the sound of owls hooting, but today it was echoing throughout the palace as if mocking the young king.
--- p.12

All the way back to the palace, the king's head was tangled with complicated thoughts.
The king was the first to independently conduct military affairs.
The pride in reviving the stone-throwing military, which had been discontinued during the reign of King Taesang, was also considerable.
However, it was only through Yangnyeong's insight that he was able to recognize the person named Gapdol.
The king understood why the former king cherished Crown Prince Yangnyeong so much.
--- p.53

“Your Majesty, we are about to attack Tsushima Island.”
“Daema Island? Abama, why are you suddenly attacking Daema Island?”
“Information has come in from our spy planted on Daema Island, and the situation is not very good.
“I think we’ll have to take the lead.”
Only then did the king realize why the king had not relinquished his military power.
The king had already grasped the situation in the foreign country and was preparing for the future.
The secret warehouse was not merely an armory built for the safety of the palace.
It was a thorough preparation for war.
--- pp.66-67

“It was simply to preserve Abamama’s body.
"Abba Mama, how could you have ordered me to protect you in the midst of such a precarious situation, with a wild boar charging at me? I was so embarrassed that I couldn't even raise my head."
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes, Abamama.”
The king paused for a moment and then continued.
“Who is the king of this country? He is now the undisputed king.
I am just a temporary helper to the king.
“Of course, we must protect the King, the supreme authority of this country.”
“Abba Mama!”
Tears welled up in the young king's eyes.
After ascending to the throne, my anxious and nervous mind instantly subsided.

--- p.91

“I asked what would happen if the plague spread and reached His Majesty the King, who is in poor health.”
The king was satisfied.
“That’s right! That’s it.
“The king has beaten the ministers in a good way.”
The king did not give in to the heated debate with his ministers.
Far from defeating him, he flattened the noses of the senior ministers who had been involved in politics with the former king.
The king used sharp words and whispered logic to exploit the weaknesses of his ministers.
“It’s like a tiger attacking a deer.”
This was the reaction of the ministers.
The ministers were left speechless by the king's swift action, like a flash of lightning.
--- p.98

“Your Majesty, if you hesitate to take action in the future because of this mistake, your father will be even more disappointed.”
“I will keep that in mind, Father.”
“When my opinion differs from everyone else’s, I may be short-sighted.
When there are mixed opinions, we can discuss and reach a conclusion.”
The king was a true king with the wisdom and magnanimity of a monarch.
'Oh, it's really hard to be a king.
'My thoughts were shorter than a rag!'
That night, in the king's room, long sighs continued unabated all night long.
--- p.119

“You saw it exactly.
Just wait and see, it's not Tsushima but Japan that will make the move.
And your Majesty, you will soon find out that I am right.”
“Little one, I cannot keep up with Abamama’s grand ideas.”
The decision of the former king to move Japan beyond Tsushima was beyond the imagination of the king.
I couldn't find anywhere the image of someone who thought that if their opinion differed from everyone else's, they were short-sighted.
The king was going beyond what he had said to his son.
The young king felt his own existence was infinitely small.

--- p.145