The landscape of the kingdom changes forever in They Say I Was Born a King's Daughter Chapter 17. This pivotal installment, titled "I Can Read It," marks a critical turning point for the protagonist, Princess Sanghee (formerly Kim Soo-hee), moving her character arc from a passive survivor to an active agent of change. As of the current date, December 10, 2025, fans continue to regard this chapter as the moment Sanghee’s modern-day knowledge finally intersects with her new royal life in a way that is both powerful and potentially perilous, setting the stage for the major political and romantic developments that follow.

The early chapters of the popular Korean webtoon, also known by its original title Wang-ui Ttallo Taeeonassdago Habnida, established a brutal reality for women in Sanghee’s reincarnated world. However, Chapter 17 is the moment the narrative shifts, providing Sanghee with the key to unlock her true potential and challenge the deeply entrenched misogyny of the royal court and the broader society. This is the chapter where her past life's knowledge becomes a literal superpower, forcing the hands of powerful figures like her father, The King, and fundamentally altering her relationship with her fiancé, Han Jinsu.

Princess Sanghee's Full Biography and Key Entities

The story of They Say I Was Born a King's Daughter is centered around one woman and the numerous entities—both people and concepts—that shape her extraordinary second life. To fully appreciate the significance of Chapter 17, it is essential to understand the key players involved in Princess Sanghee's journey.

• Original Name: Kim Soo-hee (South Korea)
• Reincarnated Name: Princess Sanghee (also Kim Sang-hee)
• Title: Princess of the Kingdom (often implied to be a Goryeo-like setting)
• Backstory: Died in a tragic accident in modern South Korea after finding true love with Jinsu.
• Central Conflict: Surviving and overturning the extreme patriarchal culture of her new world, where women are treated as property.
• Love Interest/Groom: Han Jinsu (the modern-day boyfriend who also appears in the new world, though their relationship is complicated).
• Father: The King (a central antagonist/ally figure whose approval Sanghee must manipulate).
• Mother: Queen Kang Seo-young (a figure of traditional royal power and expectation).
• Younger Brother: The 4th Prince (one of the Queen’s twin children).
• Co-Twin: Princess Kim (the other twin sibling).
• The Kingdom: An unnamed kingdom with a severe, institutionalized misogynistic structure.
• The Ancient Language: The script that Sanghee discovers she can read—a key plot device.
• The Academy: The institution Sanghee is sent to following the revelation in Chapter 17.
• The Previous Life: Modern South Korea (the source of Sanghee's knowledge and values).
• The Creators: Bichoo (Original Novel Author), Legna Kim (Manhwa Artist).

The Shocking Discovery in Chapter 17: 'I Can Read It'

Chapter 17 is the crescendo of Sanghee's early struggle to find a purpose beyond being a decorative, subservient princess. Up to this point, she has used her modern charm, cunning, and knowledge of men to survive the court's toxic environment. However, the "I Can Read It" moment provides her with a tangible, unique power that cannot be dismissed as mere feminine wiles.

The revelation is that Sanghee can read the "Ancient Language," a script that has been undecipherable for generations in her new kingdom. The shocking twist, and the comedic element of the isekai genre, is that this "Ancient Language" is none other than Korean Hangul, the language of her previous life, Kim Soo-hee. This seemingly mundane skill from her past becomes a magical, mystical ability in this new world, instantly elevating her status.

This single discovery carries monumental weight:

• Legitimacy: It gives Sanghee a legitimate, non-gendered reason for the King to value her, something beyond her potential to bear sons or be a political pawn.
• The Academy Arc: The King, eager to exploit this "magical" talent for the kingdom's prestige, immediately decides to enroll Sanghee into the male-dominated Academy. This is the first major step out of the palace walls and into the public sphere of influence.
• Intellectual Advantage: She gains access to ancient texts, historical records, and forgotten knowledge, giving her an unparalleled intellectual advantage over the entire royal court and its scholars.

7 Ways Chapter 17 Radically Shifts the Narrative

The "I Can Read It" plot point is not just a one-off event; it’s a narrative reset button that propels Princess Sanghee into the main action of the Wang-ui Ttallo Taeeonassdago Habnida story. Here are the seven most significant, long-lasting consequences of Chapter 17.

1. The King's Manipulation Backfires

The King initially sees Sanghee’s ability only as a tool to increase his own power and the kingdom's standing. He forces her into the Academy to show off his "miracle daughter." However, by placing her in a public, intellectual setting, he inadvertently gives her the platform she needs. Sanghee uses this visibility to subtly challenge the system and gain allies among the scholars and young nobles, a crucial development for her long-term goal of dismantling the misogynistic laws.

2. The Birth of the 'Scholar Princess' Archetype

Prior to Chapter 17, Sanghee was known for her beauty and charm—the "King's Daughter" who could manipulate men. Post-Chapter 17, she becomes the "Scholar Princess" or the "Princess of the Ancient Language." This new identity is key to her topical authority, allowing her to speak on matters of history, law, and culture with an authority previously reserved only for men.

3. Elevated Conflict with Han Jinsu

The relationship between Princess Sanghee and Han Jinsu is one of the most compelling parts of the manhwa. While Jinsu is her steady boyfriend from her past life (Kim Soo-hee), their dynamic in the new world is complicated by his role as a powerful noble and her status as a princess. Chapter 17's revelation adds a new layer of tension: Jinsu is forced to see Sanghee not just as the woman he loves, but as a political figure with genuine, non-romantic power. This shift challenges their budding romance and forces Jinsu to re-evaluate his own path.

4. Introduction of The Academy as a New Setting

The Academy becomes the primary setting for the next major arc of the series. It is a microcosm of the kingdom's patriarchal society, filled with male nobles who look down on women. Sanghee’s presence there, backed by the King’s decree, creates immediate friction and introduces several new, important entities—rival scholars, potential enemies, and future allies—who will be instrumental in the unfolding drama.

5. The Power of Knowledge and Information Control

By being the only person who can read the Ancient Language (Korean), Sanghee essentially controls the narrative of the kingdom's past. She can selectively reveal or interpret historical documents, giving her immense power over the kingdom's history and future direction. This is the true power of the "I Can Read It" ability.

6. The Misogyny Challenge Intensifies

The King's decision to send Sanghee to the Academy, an institution for male nobles, is met with fierce opposition from traditionalists and the Queen. This chapter effectively turns Sanghee from a minor problem into a major threat to the established power structure. The conflicts become more direct, more political, and far more dangerous than the petty squabbles of the inner court.

7. Solidifying the Isekai Element

The use of Korean Hangul as the "Ancient Language" solidifies the Isekai (other world) element of the story. It serves as a constant, humorous, and poignant reminder that Princess Sanghee is fundamentally Kim Soo-hee—a modern woman whose cultural heritage is now her greatest weapon in a medieval, patriarchal fantasy world. This thematic richness is what keeps the They Say I Was Born a King's Daughter webtoon fresh and engaging for its massive readership.

The Legacy of Chapter 17 for Princess Sanghee's Future

Chapter 17, "I Can Read It," is the moment Princess Sanghee stops simply surviving and begins to truly live and fight. The ability to read the Ancient Language is the first step in her long-term plan to reform the kingdom. It provides her with the legitimacy and the platform she needs to challenge the patriarchal system that has oppressed women for centuries. The Academy arc, which immediately follows this chapter, is a direct consequence of this discovery, and it is where Sanghee truly begins her journey to becoming a political and intellectual force.

For fans of the romance fantasy and isekai genres, this chapter is a masterclass in character empowerment. It transforms a seemingly lighthearted story of royal survival into a deeper narrative about cultural clash, intellectual power, and the fight for gender equality. The consequences ripple through the entire series, affecting everything from her relationship with Han Jinsu to her ultimate confrontation with the kingdom’s most powerful traditionalists.