Recap Korean Drama "The King’s Affection" Episode 17

Jul 14, 2022

Yi-hwi is devastated by Hyeong-seol’s death in The King’s Affection episode 17. As Seok-jo meets her, he tells her to go visit his grave to pay his respects to him. That’s when the last episode’s incident happens with Yi-hwi and Prince Changun. We essentially see how he ended up saving Yi-hwi and Ji-un from the Changun. As Seok-jo starts to kill everyone in his path without missing a beat, he asks Ji-un to protect Yi-hwi and goes after the cowardly Changun.

He is unable to find him though and the three realise that no one would believe their claim that Changun is alive. They go back to the palace, while Changun goes back to Wonsan and the latter is pissed. Meanwhile, the news of Changun’s non-death is shocking everyone, including Jaeun who cannot understand how something like this is happening.

Still From: The King’s Affection episode 17

Wonsan, as a last-ditch effort, tells Queen Dowager that the King must’ve been a twin since he found the umbilical cord. However, Dowager tells her that that’s impossible and that saying something like that will result in the physician and him as well. Outside, Wonsan realises that Yi-hwi is a woman after all since the palace is not in a frenzy. Don’t understand his logic, but why not.

Meanwhile, rumours are going around in The King’s Affection episode 17 that Yi-hwi might just be in love with Ji-un. Ha-gyeong, too, tries to blow away her own doubts and tries to give excuses, but at the end, everyone knows that it looks sketchy as heck. Ji-un and Yi-hwi are both made aware of this rumour and the only logical step seems like they not meeting for some time… unless she wants Ki-jae to murder Ji-un.

As Yi-hwi and Ji-un meet Ga-on, Ha-gyeong is also out looking for her in The King’s Affection episode 17. Ji-un tells her that she should head out first so as not to fan the flames of rumours. Although she is sceptical and tells him that it is not necessary, he insists on taking precautions. Well, they don’t and Ha-gyeong sees them together. Ha-gyeong is heartbroken and spends the night crying.

Still From: The King’s Affection episode 17
Still From: The King’s Affection episode 17

The next morning, Queen Dowager asks Yi-hwi to spend less time with Ji-un so as not to raise suspicions and also advices her to be seen more with Ha-gyeong. During tea with Ha-gyeong, the Queen tells Yi-hwi that as long as they can produce an heir together, she will not question anything else.

On the other hand, Ki-jae, too, is aware that Changun has been seen alive and asks Seok-jo to look into it. He also slyly asks Seok-jo about Ji-un’s loyalty to the king and reminds him that it is his trust for him that he gave Ji-un the job at the palace. Bok-dong, meanwhile, asks Ji-un to stay away from Yi-hwi since it is creating problems. He remembers how Ha-gyeong, too, had asked him to stay away and leave the palace if was truly loyal to the king.

Still From: The King’s Affection episode 17

Later, Seok-jo asks for So-eun’s hand for Ji-un. Her father warns him that it should not be about politics, however, Seok-jo chooses to tell him the truth about the rumours. So-eun, too, agrees to marry Ji-un since she liked him for a very long time. But, when Ji-un gets to know this, he is left heartbroken. At Seok-jo and his mother’s insistence, Ji-un really has no choice. Oh, and the threat of killing Yi-hwi if he doesn’t agree.

Anyway, as the guards locate Changun, Seok-jo rushes to him and after a lengthy fight, kills him. Meanwhile, Yi-hwi gets to know of Ji-un’s marriage from Ha-gyeong and her face gives away her heartbreak, which breaks Ha-gyeong’s heart as well.

Yi-hwi and Ji-un meet when Yi-hwi is going back home and he tells her the news as well. This results in her pleading for him to not go through this and that they knew that it would be difficult. However, he says that this is what he wants to do as well. He doesn’t want to lose her and thus, this is where their relationship must come to an end. Although she asks him to stop, as he walks away, he doesn’t stop.

Summing up: The King’s Affection episode 17

Still From: The King’s Affection episode 17

Ok, this quick episode is full of a lot of emotion. Yi-hwi and Ji-un will get together, or my heavy heart hopes. But, I don’t understand why they brought Changun back for one episode and just killed him off after. What was the point? I am interested to find out Ki-jae’s reaction to the secret which I am sure will fall out in the next episode. All in all, it a truly heartbreaking episode, especially Ha-gyeong telling Yi-hwi to let her fulfil her duties, if the King isn’t able to reciprocate her love. Truly sad.