[Feb 9, 10] “Captivating the King” Ep 7 & 8: Ratings & Recap

tvN’s “Captivating the King” garnered a 4.2% rating in its episode 7. It increased to 4.7% for the 8th episode.

Risk the reputation for his true feelings

The main theme of these 2 episodes is the King’s inner and outer life, and how they contrast. In episode 7, the King tries to improve his image by getting closer to his son, the Grand Prince, hoping to quash the rumors that he murdered his brother.

Mong-woo is behind this scheme, which angers the court officials and the vengeful Hyun-bo. But the King enjoys spending time with Mong-woo, and he doesn’t hide his feelings for him - even when others can hear. This sparks new rumors that the King is gay, which alarms the court officials even more.

Rumors begin to spread This leads to a complex situation, where Mong-woo has a hidden agenda, but also a genuine affection for the King. The political fallout isn't entirely expected, as the officials vote to banish Mong-woo for meddling and the principal director blackmails the King.

The deal is that Mong-woo can stay if the King agrees to father children with the court lady, who was given to him by the Queen Dowager. This displeases the King, and also his ill wife, who he never cared for. Mong-woo did not plan for this to happen.

Nor did he plan for the King to fall in love with him, while thinking he was a man. This is a surprising twist, as the King feels like he's exploring his sexuality. He's willing to risk his reputation for his true feelings. He says that he would marry Mong-woo “if he was a woman”, but he still shows his interest, which makes others nervous, especially with the rumors going around.

Does the King sleep with the court lady? 

He decides to sleep with the court lady, but he changes his mind when he gets to the room. He leaves to look for Mong-woo.

He finds Mong-woo drunk under a tree, and takes him/her to Sang-hoon’s house for some privacy, not realizing the irony. Sang-hwa warns them not to tell anyone that the King and Mong-woo were in a room together.

How does episode 8 end? 

This is her final wish!! I want it, too~~

The episode ends with a shocking revelation, when the King finds out that Mong-woo is actually Hee-soo. He tries to take off Mong-woo’s clothes to help him sleep off the alcohol, but Hee-soo makes a loud and feminine sound in her normal voice, which alerts him.

He is stunned, and feels hurt by the deception. But then, they kiss, and they probably spend the night together.~~ It’s hard to know what the King is thinking at this point - maybe relief - but it'll surely cause some trouble in episode 9.

(Sources: Nielsen Korea)