Captivating the King () is a 2024 South Korean television series starring Jo Jung-suk, Shin Se-kyung, and Lee Shin-young. It aired on tvN from January 21, to March 3, 2024, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 (KST). It is also available for streaming on TVING in South Korea, and on Netflix in selected regions.
Synopsis The series depicts the cruel love story of Yi In (Jo Jung-suk), a miserable king who has no one around him that he can trust and is in danger of both royal and political power struggles, and Kang Hee-soo (Shin Se-kyung), who tries to deceive him for revenge but ends up falling in love with him.
Cast and characters Main Jo Jung-suk as Yi In / Grand Prince Jinhan King of Joseon who is a baduk genius. Shin Se-kyung as Kang Hee-soo / Kang Mong-woo Kang Hee-soo A woman who disguises herself as a man and becomes a spy to take revenge. Kang Mong-woo: a genius baduk player who later becomes Yi In's close friend. Lee Shin-young as Kim Myung-ha A nobleman who is good at both archery and swordsmanship.
Supporting Important characters Choi Dae-hoon as Yi Seon Yi In's older brother. Lee Gyu-hoe as Park Jong-hwan Royal Queen Dowager Park's older brother. Yang Kyung-won as Yoo Hyun-bo an assistant section chief of the Ministry of Rites who will do anything for the sake of wealth and fame. Jo Sung-ha as Kim Jong-bae Kim Myung-ha's father who is the minister of military affairs. Son Hyun-joo as Kang Hang-sun Kang Hee-soo's father and Yi In's teacher who is the Chief State Councillor.
Yi In's people Kang Hong-seok as Joo Sang-hwa Yi In's royal guard. Park Ye-young as Court Lady Dong Yi In's lady-in-waiting who is surrounded by secrets. as Ji Nam-gyu A physician at naeuiwon. Kim Ki-nam as Eunuch Kim
Kang Hee-soo's people Na Hyun-woo as Chu Dal-ha Kang Hee-soo's assistant who is a former military officer. Song Sang-eun as Ja Geun-nyeon Kang Hee-soo's friend and servant. Han Dong-hee as Hong-jang Kang Hee-soo's friend and Yoo Hyun-bo's sister who is a courtesan. Jung Seok-yong as Se-dong A spy who has pure and upright personality. Go Soo-hee as Jeom Yi-ne Se-dong's wife who is a spy. Kim Bo-yoon as Bun-young An assistant court lady and a spy. Lee Yoon-hee as Kim Je-nam Kang Hang-sun's old friend who is a former high-ranking local government official.
Royal family Jang Young-nam as Royal Queen Dowager Park Yi In's biological mother. Ahn Se-eun as Royal Princess Jangryeong Eldest daughter of the late king Yi Seon and Yi In's niece. Hong Jun-woo as Grand Prince Moonseong son of the late king Yi Seon and Yi In's nephew. Ha Seo-yoon as Queen Oh Yi In's wife. Jeon Su-ji as Court Lady Han Royal Queen Dowager Park's lady-in-waiting.
Members of the court Um Hyo-sup as Oh Wook-hwan Queen Oh's father. Baek Seok-gwang as Min Ji-hwan Park Jong-hwan's right-hand man. Kim Seo-ha as Min Sang-hyo Kim Myung-ha's friend and Min Ji-hwan's younger brother. Jo Jae-ryong as Jung Je-pyo A Qing Dynasty official who serves as an interpreter.
Extended Ahn Si-ha as Queen Kim Yi Seon's wife.
Special appearance Song Ji-woo as a courtesan
Production Filming of the series began in March 2023.
Original soundtrack Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Viewership
+ Average TV viewership ratings Original broadcast date Average audience share(Nielsen Korea)Nielsen Korea ratings:
Nationwide Seoul 1 January 21, 2024 3.977% 4.077% 2 3 January 27, 2024 3.286% 3.550% 4 January 28, 2024 6.016% 5.968% 5 February 3, 2024 3.868% 6 February 4, 2024 5.461% 5.350% 7 February 9, 2024 4.162% 4.573% 8 February 10, 2024 4.733% 4.863% 9 February 11, 2024 6.369% 6.290% 10 6.703% 6.792% 11 February 17, 2024 4.100% 4.240% 12 February 18, 2024 5.938% 5.837% 13 February 24, 2024 4.942% 5.272% 14 February 25, 2024 6.675% 7.082% 15 March 2, 2024 5.609% 6.030% 16 March 3, 2024 Average In the table above, the represent the lowest ratings and the represent the highest ratings. This series aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS).
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