Captivating The King 2024 K Drama Episode 9

Episode 9 of Captivating the King beings with Lee In and Mong Woo (Hee Soo) consummating their relationship. Lee In wonders how he never realized that Mong Woo was a woman all along. In a short flashback we see how Lee In reacted to the news of Mong Woo’s death. He was shattered and became more recluse than ever.

Back to the present, he confesses his love to Hee Soo. He does not ask about her real name, her reason for donning a man’s disguise, or anything about her past whereabouts.

Back at the palace, Senior Court Lady Dong waits and waits for Lee In to return but to no avail. Principal Director receives a word from the palace about the same. He is having a meal with other higher lords of the court. The lords discuss Lee In’s abject dismissal and also get into a tiff. Then they discuss Qing’s slow progression towards Joseon. One of the members suggests sending an envoy escort to get a check on Qing’s activities.

Minister Hwan steps back from sponsoring such a costly affair and just then Hyung Bo steps in to take the cause ahead. Minister Hwan is not happy with this development but his protests go unheard. Lee In wakes up early the next morning and leaves a sleeping Hee Soo without a word. But Hee Soo is awake. Lee In leaves Mr Ju with some verses for Hee Soo after she wakes up.

Later that day, we see Hee Soo back in her Mong Woo disguise. She goes to different rooms about her old house and gets nostalgic. It only helps her strengthen her will for revenge against Lee In. When she (Mong Woo) steps out of the house, Mr Ju is waiting with a soldier. Mr Ju relays Lee In’s message to Mong Woo. Mong Woo is to be confined in his lodgings.

Mong Woo’s house help is worried and his personal maid runs out to search for him when he returns, with Mr Ju in tow. Mong Woo heads inside to freshen up. His personal maid goes into a fit of questions when Mong Woo tells that he visited his old residence.

She is also worried about the Qing envoy’s arrival. Mong Woo tells her that the king has found out the he (Mong Woo) is actually a woman. At the palace, the Head Eunuch tells Lee In that Court Lady Dong has taken ill after the previous night’s incident. He orders them to summon her anyway, but they are given orders by the Queen Dowager. He goes to the Queen Dowager and informs of his desire to give First Senior Consort residence to Senior Court Lady Dong. The Queen Dowager is not happy with the decision.

She also lashes out at the queen for her inability to produce an heir. When Lee In takes the queen’s side, the Queen Dowager grows more angry. He takes his leave and leaves the queen with the Queen Dowager. Lee In finds the young royals waiting to greet the Queen Dowager. He tells them they can skip their greetings, but the young prince gives quite an intellectual answer. Lee In seems impressed.

Minister Hwan visits the Principal Director and protests against Hyung Bo’s addition to the envoy. The Principal Director is confident that Lee In will agree to the decision if he wishes to keep Kang Mong Woo around. Just then an employee comes in with petitions seeking the immediate removal of Mong Woo.

As the two head to meet Lee In, the Minister of War comes with the news of Lee In’s orders of confinement for Mong Woo. Myung Ha and his friend discuss Lee In’s orders and Myung Ha reminds him that Lee In is more than capable of doing things he wishes to.

At Lee In’s chambers, Court Lady Dong accepts the residence but does not accept her appointment as a concubine since the Queen Dowager would not allow it. She is dismissed as the Principal Director comes to meet the king. He presents the king with the petitions of Kang Mong Woo’s removal. He express his relief over Mong Woo’s confinement but Lee In reminds him who is in power here.

The Principal Director then propose Hyung Bo’s appointment to lead the envoy escort to receive the Qing envoy. He justifies his choice and Lee In allows them three days to bring the Qing envoy to the capital.

The Principal Director puts a counter condition that Mong Woo should be dismissed from the court and exiled from the capital. Later, we see the Principal Director and Hyung Bo talk positively about Hyung Bo leading the welcoming envoy. The Principal Director asks Hyung Bo to see if there is any letter by Prince Rui along with the Emperor’s letter. Minister Hwan goes to his daughter aka the queen and talks about Hyung Bo leading the envoy.

The father-daughter duo discuss how they are falling weak to hold power within and outside the court. Grand Prince Munseong drops by to visit the queen. She is particularly affectionate towards the prince and invites him for a walk in the Royal Garden. Her father is surprised to see the interaction.

Lee In enquires about the progress of the peach tree revival. He sees Myung Ha and remembers the hug between Myung Ha and Mong Woo. He feels jealous more now that he knows Mong Woo is infact a woman. He then enquires about a person named Kim Je Nam. Kim Je Nam does not seem to be interested in the government job but later, Lee In proceeds to the Yeonchwijeong. He almost mentions Mong Woo but controls himself. He commands Mr Ju to keep the search on for a particular lost item.

Later that night, Mong Woo invites Myung Ha for a private meeting. Myung Ha tells Mong Woo (Hee Soo) that he has been placed in confinement for protection. Mong Woo feels Lee In has set a trap for the Principal Director. Myung Ha suggests their chats remain a secret. He wants to protect the young royals from any harm. Mong Woo feels that the young royals may have to face difficulty once the Qing envoy arrives at the capital.

Chu Dal Ha has returned from his visit to Master Choam (aka Kim Je Am). He informs the same to Mong Woo. Mong Woo asked if Dal Ha had reminded Master Choam to accept the position the next time. Dal Ha said he had but Dal Ha is also worried that with just Myung Ha and Master Choam at the court, it might not be enough support for Mong Woo. He offers to continue the task if Mong Woo’s plan falls apart, but Mong Woo is firm that his plan will be completed well. Dal Ha wishes him luck and leaves.

The following morning, Lee In receives the news that Qing’s chief envoy, Podan, has arrived at the Mohwa Guesthouse. The Principal Director intercepts Lee In and asks him to receive the Emperor’s letter. Lee In cites ill health and asks the Principal Director to accept it on his behalf.

The Principal Director tells Lee In that the envoy might not take well to the act. Lee In says a feast that evening would be helpful to relieve the anger. He is also reminded that since Principal Director and Hyung Bo brought the envoy within the promised three days, he needs to dismiss and expel Mong Woo.

The Principal Director does not wait for Lee In and commands a soldier to arrest Mong Woo and bring him to the State Tribunal. Myung Ha is immediately notified of the order. He rushes to speak to Lee In but he is turned down.

On the other hand, we see Mong Woo dresses up to go out. His personal maid is worried for his safety but he simply leaves. The royal soldiers arrive at Mong Woo’s hut and arrest him. It is night fall, and the celebration feast for the Qing envoy’s welcome is underway. Lee In thanks the envoy for making the journey. The envoy shuts the interpreter up and also makes a comment that he is disappointed at the feast. He expected something better. The envoy asks to meet Mong Woo.

The Principal Director says Mong Woo has been expelled and protests to invite Mong Woo back. Lee In reprimands the Principal Director citing he is asking to disrespect the envoy for a small promise. Myung Ha remembers Mong Woo’s words from earlier. Mong Woo in brought to the banquet upon Lee In’s orders. The envoy remarks Mong Woo’s young age. Lee In pitches in with come compliments for the envoy and the two share a small chat.

The Principal Director still protests, but the envoy says that he would like to play a game of baduk with Mong Woo and if he wins he will decide Mong Woo’s fate the way he sees fit. If he loses, the Principal Director can decide Mong Woo’s fate. The men agree on this bet and the baduk game begins.

The Episode Review

Episode 9 of Captivating the King gives us more insight into Lee In’s feelings for Mong Woo. Though he is unaware of Mong Woo’s identity yet, he still harbours deep love and affection for his beloved. The Qing envoy’s arrival could prove pivotal to Lee In’s reign in Joseon.

With his own mother, his uncle and other members of the court after Mong Woo and in extension his chair, it will be quite tricky for Lee In to maintain a balance with all ropes in hand