Captivating The King 2024 K Drama Episode 10

Episode 10 of Captivating the King begins with the baduk game underway between Mong Woo and the Qing envoy. There’s a short flashback to Mong Woo’s arrest earlier in the day.

Instead of the State Tribunal, Mong Woo is taken elsewhere. There, Mr Ju and his soldiers receives Mong Woo. Mr Ju tells Mong Woo to head inside and Mong Woo finds Lee In waiting. Lee In hugs Mong Woo and says he missed him. Lee In tells Mong Woo that he ordered for the confinement to protect him. He asks Mong Woo to come running to him whenever he calls and he will do the same if Mong Woo ever calls for him.

Back to the present, Mong Woo and the envoy’s game runs tense. Soon it reaches an impasse. There is no winner and it is a tie. Lee In breathes a sigh of relief and the envoy seems visibly impressed. He has never seen such an impasse happen in his years of playing baduk.

The envoy says that he was planning to take Mong Woo to Qing and offer him as a tribute to the Emperor since the Emperor loves baduk as well. The envoy asks to visit the Yeonchwijeong. Lee In takes the envoy for a visit, but the interpreter is asked to stay back. He speaks to Mong Woo about his relationship with Lee In and leaves after getting a diplomatic answer.

The Principal Director suspects Mong Woo of manipulating the game for a tie. He warns Mong Woo and leaves as well. After everyone leaves, Myung Ha and Mong Woo exchange a few words that it looks positive for them since the envoy did not mention anything suspicious. The Queen Dowager and the Principal Director discuss the banquet situation. The Principal Director is utterly unhappy about the treatment he received at the banquet. The Queen Dowager tries to calm him down, but he is clearly not calm. She enquires about a certain letter and the Principal Director tells her concern will be put to rest soon.

At Yeonchwijeong, the envoy tells Lee In about Prince Rui’s letter. Jung Je Pyo has read the letter and would deliver it to Lee In soon. The envoy says merely mentioning the letter would deem him into a spy so he cannot reveal any further information.

The Principal Director knows the content of the letter that Prince Rui has apparently expressed his wish to marry Princess Jangryeong and strengthen the bond between two nations. Lee In is troubled by the news and the next day the court members urge Lee In not to accept the proposal. Hyung Bo advocates Prince Rui’s intentions but Minister Hwan suggests sending another woman of similar nobility.

Lee In refuses and announces that he will accept the proposal. Later, we see the Princess begging Lee In to not marry her to Prince Rui of Qing. But Lee In says he has to do his duties as the king of the nation and hence the marriage will take place soon. Mong Woo witnesses the scene silently. During their game of baduk, Lee In asks for Mong Woo’s advice on the matter of Prince Rui and Princess Jangryeong’s marriage.

Mong Woo says Lee In can decline the proposal. Lee In wants to do the same but he cannot because then Prince Rui’s regency will not last. Joseon’s rejection of the marriage proposal will lead to a ban on the repatriation of Joseon citizens in Qing and lead to war. Lee In expresses his helplessness to protect his loved ones despite being in power, being a king.

Later that night, Mong Woo’s personal maid leads Myung Ha to a secret location to meet with Mong Woo (Hee Soo). Dal Ha is also present. Myung Ha is upset over the princess’s marriage to Prince Rui. Mong Woo says they can use it to their advantage. Mong Woo plans to sneak in a spy near Prince Rui through this marriage. Mong Woo suggests substituting the princess with a spy. Myung Ha does not approve of the idea but Mong Woo is determined to try it out.

The following morning, we see Mong Woo and Myung Ha talking to the young royals. The princess thinks it would only land the Grand Prince Munseong in graver danger, but Mong Woo convinces them that doing so would help the nation and its citizens. When the prince asks if Mong Woo is doing this for personal gains, Mong Woo assures the he isn’t. The Prince approves the plan.

Next we see the Principal Director and the Queen Dowager discuss Lee In’s idea to send in another royal family member for marriage instead of the princess. The Queen Dowager arrogantly believes the young royals won’t abide to that. He also tells her something else and they decide to chance upon Lee In’s hunt the next day to execute their plan.

Lee In and Mong Woo are engaged in a game of baduk. Lee In invites Mong Woo for the hunt the next day, but Mong Woo declines the offer citing his emotions will surface if he is around the King a lot. Lee In says Mong Woo would have lead a peaceful life as someone’s wife by now if they hadn’t met. Mong Woo replies that if he cannot live as the king’s woman, he is fine living as his confidant gidaeryeong, and he kisses Mong Woo’s hand.

That night, Mong Woo’s personal house help tries to warn Mong Woo (Hee Soo) that he should get over the feelings. Mong Woo’s is firm that he will use the king’s feelings to his advantage and dethrone him. His personal maid is worried Mong Woo might endanger his life again.

The next morning, the Principal Director cites illness and backs out of the hunting party. Lee In asks for medicine to be prepared for the Principal Director, but after Lee In and the party leave, the Principal Director struts off as if nothing happened.

Later, we see Mong Woo’s house help and Dal Ha pay a court lady. The same court lady whom we later see go up to the princess’ residence and ask the court maids to transfer to another place.

The court lady stops Bun Yeong from leaving and she is able to relay a message to Mong Woo about the change in staff. We also see the princess not allowing anyone else except Bun Yeong to tend to her. The Queen summons Mong Woo and asks him to look after the young royals. Mong Woo assures her he will.

Senior Court Lady Dong arrives and the Queen reprimands her. But Senior Court Lady Dong tells the Queen that the orders to replace the maids were given by the Queen Dowager. The Queen asks both of them to leave. Outside,  Senior Court Lady Dong tries to talk down to Mong Woo but her attempt is in vain.

The vice envoy of the Qing wishes to meet with the princess. He is waiting outside her residence bearing gifts. The princess asks the court lady to inform the vice envoy to come in later after Lee In is back from the hunt, but the court lady says the Queen Dowager has already given the approval.

The princess allows the vice envoy in but se switches places with Bun Yeong. The vice envoy is none the wiser about this switch. He presents her with gifts from Prince Rui for their wedding. It was just a ploy with the Principal Directorate to get to know the princess’ face.

Lee In soon returns. The same night, Mong Woo relays the events to Myung Ha. Mong Woo has prepared everything from his side for his plan to succeed. Bun Yeong bids an emotional farewell to Mong Woo and others. The chat also reveals Bun Yeong’s past.

The following morning, the princess greets the king. Lee In is reminded of his departure to Qing all those years ago. They bid their farewell to each other but Lee In is unaware that the princess won’t be going to Qing. Bun Yeong dresses up as the bride for Prince Rui and Grand Prince Munseong arrives to bid his farewell to the ‘princess’.

The ministers and other officials escort the princess away. But one court lady finds it suspicious. As the real princess makes a run to escape, the court lady follows her but the real princess loses her tail.

The court lady informs the Queen Dowager of the success and also inform her of a court lady running away instead of following the procession. The Principal Director has his suspicions and rushes out to verify. He ambushes Myung Ha but he receives no answer. He rides off to the procession’s last known location.

Grand Prince Munseong and Mong Woo are playing baduk when Myung Ha arrives with the news that the Principal Director suspects their ploy. He reaches the spot and almost gets the confirmation. The scene cuts to Mong Woo and Lee In’s baduk game at night. Mong Woo looks uneasy and Lee In suspects he might be ill.

Just then, Mr Ju arrives informing Lee In that the Principal Director requests an urgent audience. Mong Woo takes that chance to reveal the truth to Lee In as the episode concludes.

The Episode Review

Episode 9 of Captivating the King just turned up the tension several notches higher. The Principal Director who was ready to lay his life for Lee In has now changed sides and wishes to bring Lee In down. He has consolidated enough power for himself over the years that he is able to do all that and more.

The princess switch was something of a dangerous gamble. What will Lee In react when Mong Woo tells him the truth? If the plan does succeed, what about the real princess? Where will she go? Tension seems to only rise in this K-drama! I wonder what the next week has in store for us.