Today is 한글날 Hangul Proclamation Day (Korean Alphabet Day), October 9, celebrating the proclamation of 한글, the Korean alphabet created by 세종대왕 Sejong the Great (1397 – 1450). The original name of 한글 was 훈민정음 (訓民正音), which literally means “Right Sounds to Educate People.” Historians of today point out that it was King Sejong himself who created 한글 in 1443. The king’s royal edict in October 1446 made 한글 known to the general public.
Looking back at Korean history from today’s viewpoint, if we have to pick just one single most important accomplishment made during 500 years of 조선 시대 Joseon dynasty (1392 – 1897), it is absolutely the creation of 한글 by Sejong the Great, among many other achievements during the genius king’s rule. Even today, and particularly on 한글날, most Koreans wholeheartedly revere the king and take pride in his “eternal gift” to all his “subjects,” almost six centuries after his short but productive life.
The famous prologue to the royal edict 세종어제 훈민정음 is as follows:
– 세종어제 훈민정음(서문) ‘훈민정음 해례본’ (1446) [ Original Text ]
“나라의 말이 중국과 달라 문자로는 서로 통하지 아니하여
이런 까닭으로 어리석은 백성들이 말하고자 하는 바가 있어도 마침내 제 뜻을 능히 펴지 못하는 사람들이 많구나.
내 이를 위하여 불쌍히 여겨 새롭게 스물여덟 글자를 만드노니
사람마다 하여금 쉽게 익혀 날로 씀에 편하게 하고자 할 따름이니라.”
– [ Modern Korean ]
“The language of our country differs from China, hence the mismatch with Chinese characters.
For this reason, many subjects cannot express themselves freely, even when they have something to say.
We, taking pity on them, hereby make twenty-eight new letters.
It is just to allow each person to learn them with ease, and to make it convenient to use them every day.”
– Prologue to the Royal Edict on 훈민정음 “Right Sounds to Educate People” (1446)
Of course, I’m celebrating this unique holiday by staying home all day and creating a top-notch Korean educational video for you. The video showcases an AI-created song that touches human hearts, aided by amazing scenes from the final episode of “The Scandal” (2026). In the lyrics, (verb/adjective)-ㄹ/을 수밖에 없다 means “cannot help but … “ “there is no other choice but to …,” “it is impossible not to …,” etc. It is a Korean way to surrender, whether it is about giving in to some situations, circumstances, emotions, or love. Another way to say the same thing is “-지 않을 수 없다.”
- 세종대왕은 한국인이 영원히 존경할 수밖에 없는 임금이다. King Sejong the Great is a monarch Koreans cannot help but respect forever. = 세종대왕은 한국인이 영원히 존경하지 않을 수 없는 임금이다.
- 난 당신을 그저 사랑할 수밖에 없어요 I just can’t help but love you
You can think of this video not only as a story of love, but as my way of commemorating the greatest king in Korean history, a spell to bring forth a leader of his stature again.
Monobility® Group
