tvN’s Period drama, Captivating the King revolves around the cat-and-mouse game between King Yi In (Jo Jung-suk), Kang Hee-soo (Shin Se-kyung), and some higher officials of the King’s Court.
As some people of Joseon were captivated by the Qing, Hee-soo decided to dress as a man and earn money from playing baduk so she can pay for the ransom of Qing’s hostages. But when King Yi In let her and Hong-jang (Han Dong-hee) become collateral damage to the political wars of the royal family, Hee-soo decided to continue dressing as a man to work as a gidaeryeong (baduk companion) of the King. There, she slowly performs her plan of dethroning Yi In, and the exciting mind games begin!
What makes the show thrilling? Let’s find out here at Pop Tokki.
Typical Introduction of Period Dramas
Where gruesome scenes (if not any dramatic scenes) are detailed and usually set at night, an intro that is not welcoming. There’s also the gloomy weather that adds insult to injury, and this was evident at the beginning of Captivating the King as the drama started with the short written narration about Joseon’s battle with Qing. Once the words disappeared, the focus shifted to the dead bodies lying around the battlefield. So it’s not surprising if viewers predicted the next scene as bloody fights – given the context clue of the previous scene. But the show continued with King Yi In’s act of kindness toward his country’s enemy – atleast that’s what it looks like.
The Same Old Issues in Period Dramas
While there were no exhausting sword fights in the first few minutes of the show nor the next minute after that, one would still feel weary as power trips are prominent throughout the show. Along with that power trip are the relentless schemes of senior royals, the subtle intimidation of court officials, the exaggerated flatteries of ambitious men, and the unreasonable requests of senior court ladies.
Cunning Plotline
When watching a period drama, it’s difficult not to predict every scene based on the previous historical drama that one had watched before – as most period dramas have similar styles – not just in setting and clothing but also in the story arc. CTK creators seemed to have used those similarities to outsmart and surprise viewers since the drama has the pattern of providing typical K-drama scenes at the beginning of every arc. Then gives unexpected scenes that no one probably thought, seen, or imagined before – shattering viewers’ predictions.
Familiar faces
Aside from the main leads, Crash Landing On You stars – Yang Kyung-won and Lee Shin-young were in CTK. On the other hand, Jang Young-nam has brought her Queen Dowager experience from the Crowned Clown to Captivating the King. Her performance in the latter drama does not seem to differ from the former.
Early Ambush of Jaw-Dropping Scenes
While most period dramas like to save their trump cards on the second half of the show, CTK does not. So much that the characters, especially the female lead, are truly not afraid to play with fire just to achieve their goals. Though some jaw-dropping scenes are just coincidences, we can’t deny the fact that it’s early to place those thrilling scenes in the first half of the show. (But not complaining here.)
Quick Witted Characters
If CTK characters were in a debate battle, it must be difficult to pick the “best debater,” as most of them can immediately come up with excuses and lies with evidence every time they question each other’s strange moves.
Rich in Girl Power Scenes
Intentional or not, the drama seemed to have given a large spotlight to girl power when the bulk of the show presented Hee-soo’s point of view. Also, the majority of plans and solutions came from our female lead. Even the King himself confided to Hee-soo, and some girls in the drama were able to support and save each other because of the gidaeryeong.
Conservative Romantic Scenes
Since the enemies’ eyes are everywhere, Hee-soo and Yi In can mostly show their affection through their behavior, such as subtle touch and eye contact. Their romantic scenes have contributed a sizeable amount of thrilling feelings as one might wonder, “What if the enemies see them?”
A Trolley Problem Twist
CTK’s biggest trump card may have led the viewers to say: “I didn’t see it coming,” or “I knew it.” Either way, the show’s creators successfully concealed their biggest trump card by making Yi In slightly unstable and complaisant. The King’s moves resonate with this quote, “Sometimes you just have to play the role of a fool to fool the fool who thinks they are fooling you.”
Overall, Captivating The King gives the essence of playing a board game. Once you get invested, it’ll distract you from your unwanted thoughts.
What do you think about Captivating The King? Let us know on our Instagram and Twitter.
Featured Image Credit: tvN Official Facebook Page
