Captivating The King 2024 K Drama Episode 7

Episode 7 of Captivating the King picks up where the previous one left off. We see Lee In arrive at the garden when Myung Ha and Mong Woo (Hee Soo) are hugging. He shouts at the duo and Myung Ha begins to apologise profusely. He mentions his meeting the young royals. Lee In does not seem to believe Myung Ha’s words. He reprimands Myung Ha to not indulge in such behavior aka to not hug Mong Woo (Hee Soo) anymore. Lee In heads to Yeongchwijeong and asks Mong Woo to follow.

It is soon nightfall. We see Mong Woo and Lee In play baduk while Lee In makes enquiries about their relationship. Lee In not happy with the answer and abruptly ends the game. He then enquires about the young prince’s talents at baduk. After Mong Woo’s assurance that the prince is doing well, Lee In asks if he wants anything. Mong Woo asks for game records to help the prince study.

Mong Woo leaves and Mr Ju asks if Lee In believes the story. Lee In says he does and is confident they won’t be of harm this time around. He fully intends to protect Mong Woo this time. He tells Mr Jung that he is aware of what he is doing and to not bring up the topic again.

Mong Woo is on his way home when he is summoned by Yoo Hyung Bo, the Third Minister of Rites. Hyung Bo is in company of Minister Hwan (one of the three Hwans) and a few courtesans. Mong Woo says that the Minister would have to come to him to meet him. Only the King can summon Mong Woo. Minister Hwan laughs at the incident and prepares to leave. Hyung Bo is incensed by Mong Woo’s behavior.

He is stunned to know who Mong Woo aka the gidaeryeong truly is. He ambushes Mong Woo at the court the next day, but Mong Woo does not hold back either. Just then Lee In arrives. Hyung Bo tries to fuel Lee In’s mind against Mong Woo, but Lee In puts him in his place. Hyung Bo wonders why Lee In allows Mong Woo to be so close. Lee In commands Mong Woo to follow him to see the prince. He tells Mong Woo that the Special Firearms Unit will keep a special watch on Mong Woo to avoid further troubles.

The young prince is hesitant to accept the King’s gift of the baduk game records. The young prince asks if one day he could play baduk against the king. He also requests if he could baduk stories between his late father and Lee In. Lee In says the prince would have to be as proficient as Mong Woo if he wants to play. Just as Lee In prepares to leave, the young prince makes another request to accompany the king on his next journey.

Hyung Bo rushes to the Principal Director and requests a private audience. He reveals Mong Woo’s identity to the Principal Director. At the court, the court members are stunned to hear the young prince’s addition to the next journey with the king. Minister Hwan thinks it is the king’s ruse to take Mong Woo along.

The news of Mong Woo’s identity spreads across the court. Myung Ha’s friend and fellow court member asks Myung Ha if he was aware of Mong Woo’s identity. Myung Ha rushes to tell Mong Woo that his identity is disclosed. Mong Woo is not shocked. In fact, everything is happening according to his plan and he is happy to see it fall into place. Myung Ha and Mong Woo share a few opinions about Mong Woo’s plan of action. Mong Woo tells Myung Ha to forget that he is Kang Hee Soo. Mong Woo warns Myung Ha that the king might already be lying traps for them after that hug.

The Queen Dowager tries to dissuade Lee In from taking the young prince with him on his next journey. She warns him the court might be bristled by the prince’s addition to the journey. He assures the Queen Dowager that it won’t cause any negative repercussions. The same night, she and the Principal Director discuss the matter. She wants the young prince to die but the Principal Director says that they must be careful to take any action in that direction.

He thinks that the king suspects him of murdering the former king. He also thinks Mong Woo might turn to be more helpful than expected. The same night, Lee In orders Mr Jung to tail Hyung Bo and also resume tailing Mong Woo. Hyung Bo loses the person on his tail and goes off to bribe another person to severely harm Mong Woo.

The same night, Bun Yeong visits Mong Woo. Bun Yeong is the cooking lady’s daughter who works at the palace and has helped Mong Woo (Hee Soo) out. The women share some good time talking about their work, life and everything in between.

The following day, Mong Woo heads to the court. He crosses paths with Myung Ha who agrees to Mong Woo’s advice but asks for some time to deal with his feelings towards the matter. They are startled by Myung Ha’s friend. Myung Ha leaves and the friend advises Mong Woo about the king’s erratic behavior during the gisinje journey each year. He is annoyed by the smallest of mistakes and spends his days at the Yeongchwijeong, not eating or drinking for days or suddenly leaving the palace without any prior notice.

Soon after, we see everyone prepare and leave for the gisinje journey. Mong Woo escorts the prince, and they meet Principal Director and the Minister of War waiting to wish them well for their journey. The Principal Director was only there to meet Mong Woo face to face.

Back at Mong Woo’s house, his house help discuss his journey, but his personal maid is unhappy. Chu Dal Ha left early that morning since it is Hongjang’s memorial in a few days, and then we see Chu Dal Ha at a temple offering prayers.

The same night, the three Hwans are wondering about the king’s whereabouts. A commoner is apprehended in the forest and he brings the king a letter. Lee In is surprised and relays a coded message back.

That night, the young prince sets out to see the celebrations on the grounds away from the palace. He is struck by his limited knowledge of things but wants to make a good impression. He consults Mong Woo on the matter. He rushed to a sword fighting ring, and Mong Woo is thrust into the circle. Lee In arrives at the spot to see the fight.

Mong Woo has no intentions of fighting but goes ahead to encourage the young prince. We see a short flashback of Mong Woo acquired the sword fighting skills. All this while, Hyung Bo is keeping a sharp eye on their movements. Mong Woo is defeated by his opponent and Lee In’s presence is noticed. He himself challenges the opponent and gives him a good fight. He says a few words of advice and encouragement to the audience.

He asks Mong Woo what he and the prince are doing there. The prince comes to Mong Woo’s aid. Mong Woo is injured and faints in Lee In’s arms. Lee In calls for the royal physician. Mong Woo is taken to Lee In’s personal residence to get treated. Myung Ha and his friend rush to the place after hearing the news and thinking it is the prince who got injured. They are surprised that Mong Woo was taken to Lee In’s residence.

At Lee In’s residence, Mong Woo refuses treatment citing it is an old wound which opened up during the sword fight. Just then Myung Ha’s arrival is announced. Myung Ha reminds Lee In that he should leave as it is close to midnight. Lee In leaves but not before issuing a royal command to tend to Mong Woo’s wounds.

Hyung Bo’s hired henchman refuses the job offer later that night. He returns the payment and refuses to do the job again. Mr Joo finds Hyung Bo at the same spot. Lee In is troubled by Mong Woo’s ill health. The royal physician informs Lee In that Mong Woo as been treated. We see that Mong Woo tries to talk to the royal physician to lie to the king. Lee In prepares for the memorial ceremony. The prince follows after. The selected members of the court are also in attendance.

The following morning, Lee In addresses his brother spirit and asks him for protection. Later, we see that it is raining in the day. Myung Ha wonders if the rain is the sign to Lee In’s erratic behavior. A drenched Lee In arrives to see Mong Woo in the rain as well. There is a sudden calmness over Lee In’s features.

Lee In ushers Mong Woo inside but he rejects Lee In’s hand over his shoulder. Lee In asks if Mong Woo dislikes him but he denies. Lee In says that he likes Mong Woo, and this confession seems to be more than just a human liking another in a platonic way. The episode comes to a conclusion with a stunned Mong Woo staring at Lee In.