Captivating The King 2024 K Drama Episode 8

Episode 8 of Captivating the King resumes with Lee In’s confession to Mong Woo. He promptly leaves and we see that a court maid overhears the exchange and rumours spread in the court that the king is attracted to men.

At night, Lee In and Mong Woo are engaged in a game of baduk. They speak about the game play and playing offensive and defensive but one can’t help but feel the talk is more than just about the game. Mong Woo defeats Lee In but just then, Mr Joo arrives with herbal medicine. Mong Woo is reluctant but drinks the medicine anyway.

The Principal Director, Minister of War and another court member discuss the rumour about Lee In and Mong Woo. The Minister of War thinks Mong Woo should be expelled, but it won’t be an easy task.

The next morning, Mong Woo is given a cold shoulder by everyone at the palace premises. Myung Ha tries to talk to Mong Woo about the petition in the court about Mong Woo’s dismissal. Mong Woo says the king’s favouritism towards him is just pretense. He won’t be doing anything to silence the rumours either. Mong Woo says that Lee In is his enemy but Myung Ha asks if that is the truth when it comes to Mong Woo’s heart as well.

At night, Myung Ha is cornered by Hyung Bo and his men. Hyung Bo asks Myung Ha to arrange for a meeting with Mong Woo. Myung Ha ignores the request but Hyung Bo is now more determined to have an audience with Mong Woo. At the cottage, Mong Woo’s househelp discusses the rumour and also Lee In’s relationship with the First Senior Consort. Their gossip discloses the fact that Lee In never consummated his union with any of his consorts or the Queen even. Chu Dal Ha is listening to this conversation, but does not look comfortable.

The following morning, Lee In heads to Yeochwijeong with Mr Ju and his soldiers. Court Lady Dong is summoned by the Principal Director. He threatens her that he will kill her if she deceives him again. That night, Court Lady Dong asks Lee In to be dismissed from his service. She asks him to spend a night with her but Lee In dismisses her requests.

She feels humiliated and visits the Queen Dowager. She asks the Queen Dowager to arrange for Lee In and her to spend the night so that the rumours can be put to rest.

The next morning at court, an official petition is filed to dismiss Mong Woo from the court. Lee In is agitated by the petition and leaves the court. He and the Principal Director have a tiff. Lee In is firm on not dismissing Mong Woo from service.

The Principal Director hands him a paper with a date which is said to be auspicious for Lee In to consummate with Senior Court Lady Dong. The Principal Director says that if Lee In and Court Lady Dong’s union produces an heir then the rumours can be put to rest and Mong Woo will not need to be dismissed either. The same night, the queen falls ill.

The following morning, Lee In and the queen visit the Queen Dowager to inform her of his decision. Later, Lee In and Mong Woo meet for a while at the bridge. Lee In asks Mong Woo what his wish is, and Mong Woo requests if he can tell it later.

After Lee In leaves, Mong Woo is summoned by the queen. She informs Mong Woo about Lee In and Court Lady Dong’s night of consummation and she feels defeated. She would rather Lee In and Mong Woo’s rumour be true than Lee In spend a night with Court Lady Dong. Just then, Grand Prince Munseong requests an audience with the queen. He enquires about her health and she grows emotional.

Later that night, Mong Woo (as Hee Soo) meets with Chu Dal Ha. Dal Ha is concerned that their plans will be ruined if Senior Court Lady Dong manages to produce an heir for the king. But Mong Woo is sure that the heir would only label him as a tyrant and make him more vulnerable to being dethroned. Dal Ha expresses his relief that Mong Woo is not bristled by the news. He knew from Hongjang that Mong Woo (Hee Soo) was in love with Lee In before he became a king. He also expresses his regret that he did not run away with Hongjang and get married. Mong Woo assures Dal Ha that he will not be swayed.

The following morning, Mong Woo and Lee In play baduk. Mong Woo asks if Lee In troubled by the rumours. Lee In says he is not, because words of treacherous people do not bother him. Mong Woo says he should hear those words in person to understand the gravity of the situation. Lee In takes it as a challenge and heads out in the market disguised as a nobleman. He has Mr Ju with him and his guards are dressed in plain clothes but at a distance.

Lee In offers to buy Mong Woo a baduk table, but Mong Woo asks for a food item instead. They venture further and find a young boy and an elderly man playing baduk. Initially they only watch, but soon the two take over the game. Mr Ju watches this exchange with attention and surprise. The elderly man is miffed by this takeover and leaves. Lee In is surprised to hear not one rumour in the market. He orders Mr Ju to find someone talking about the matter.

After Mr Ju leaves, Lee In asks Mong Woo if he was too harsh. Mong Woo replies that Mr Ju would do the impossible if Lee In commanded it. Lee In says it is a miracle Mr Ju hasn’t cursed out loud yet. Mong Woo laughs and Lee In looks at him longingly. He says that he would have married Mong Woo if Mong Woo was a woman. Just then he hears a bunch of women talk about the king’s affection towards men.

After they return to the palace, Lee In tries to hug Mr Ju and check if he is truly attracted to men. Mr Ju and Lee In are both taken by surprise. That night, Court Lady Dong is being dressed for her night of consummation with the king. Mong Woo is waiting somewhere and Myung Ha spots him. Myung Ha asks to speak in private. He tells Mong Woo that he has severed his emotional ties and it is now Mong Woo’s turn to severe his emotional ties with Lee In.

Myung Ha leaves and a courtesan arrives. Mong Woo asks her how to severe one’s emotional ties. The courtesan gives advice to Mong Woo that one should go where their heart takes them. They should go until the end of the road and only then will they realise the futility of love. Mong Woo ponders over the courtesan’s advice and gets drunk.

Shortly after, we see that a soldier arrives with the news that Hyung Bo and Mong Woo have disappeared. Lee In is not happy to hear this and tries to go after finding Mong Woo. But it is the night of consummation with Court Lady Dong, so he has to stay back.

In a drunken state, Mong Woo wanders back home and falls asleep next to a tree. He hallucinates about Lee In and promptly falls asleep. In his chambers, Lee In in no mood and storms off to search for Mong Woo. He finds Mong Woo at the tree and takes Mong Woo to his old house. Lee In asks Mr Ju to leave and spends the night tending to Mong Woo.

Mr Ju informs the guards to secure the perimeter but in secret. Lee In begins to undress Mong Woo but he wakes up. Lee In realizes that Mong Woo is infact a woman. Mong Woo redeems his wish and kisses Lee In. Lee In is stunned and at a loss of words. But he kisses Mong Woo back as the episode comes to a conclusion.

The Episode Review

Episode 8 of Captivating the King finally bursts the bubble of tension between Lee In and Mong Woo! Thankfully, Lee In is closer to learning Mong Woo’s truth. Lee In is one troubled fellow. That poor guy cannot be with the one he loves, he has to be on alert all the time lest someone divests him of power, and he has to keep up with the gossiping and scheming relatives all the time.

What will happen when he finds out who Mong Woo truly is? Will he still love Mong Woo aka Hee Soo the same? Court Lady Dong has some guts. She worked her way to being the king’s trusted employee and is not shy to cash in favours when it is suitable for her. She is slowly proving to be a good catalyst to Lee In actions.