User reviews

Yes, you have to get over the petite fairy looking female lead being accepted as a man just because she wears male clothes. That part is always hard to swallow in similar K dramas. BUT, ignoring the gender bending trope, this series is very entertaining. Nothing truly unique about the storyline, but the quality of the acting drew me right in. Almost completely due to Jo Jung Suk's acting. He has charisma to spare. I also like that they feature the game of baduk (Go), which adds to the cultural atmosphere. There are the expected political struggles and evil ministers aplenty. But the young crown prince is so delightful and such a super actor as well. Shin Se-Kyung as FL does a fine job, though I would love to see the writer allow her to yell and scream once in awhile. I love Lee Shin Young as Myung Ha, (basically second male lead) who got a lousy break from the get go. Also loved Ha So-hoon, who played the very ill queen with subtlety and a heart-rending sadness.

2 episodes in - the biggest plot twist is so definitively written in that self-explanatory title, and it's no doubt that this romance drama will be gut-punching the audiences to tears in the latter episodes. Yes, it's that obvious.

However, the main casts, production, script and directing has been great so far. I just hope that it didn't include too many gap-filler mini-dramas with minor casts, like other could-have-been-great series as long as they maintained the main track of storytelling.

2 main casts are doing their great job, as expected as usual but surprisingly well set in this between them, which is so overwhelming to watch.

When picked this drama to watch, I hadn't realized that the male lead was Jo Jung Suk. I smiled like a teenager in love for the first time. I immediately thought of "Oh My Ghost!" and "Hospital Playlist" (they owe us a third season, by the way). What a difference between these lead roles, however, his performances were super each and every time. I don't recall seeing the female lead acting before, therefore, I can only applaud her performance. The match between them was delightful. I must finish saying that I was expecting the same historical drama that I have previously watched. It is far from the truth! From episode 1 until the last one, this drama catches all your attention an heart. It is a "must watch".

I'm an African American and I love Korean time dramas. This movie, Captivating the King, has captivated me. I look forward to every episode. I could watch one episode after the next. I also think the lead male and female actor and actress are top notch. I have never watched the male actor before but find his acting and presence of great quality. His charisma just seems to jump off the screen. Also, he is quite attractive. The female actress has graced the screen in a lot Korean dramas I watch and I love her acting. She is the reason I decided to watch this drama and I'm glad I did. Kudos to whoever wrote this drama and to the director. I wish there was more time dramas that are suspenseful and romantic like this one. The only other drama that comes close to this is The Princess Weiyoung.

What can I say, this K-Drama had me sitting on the edge of my seat. The twists and turns of the love between the king and his subject was beautifully executed, I even wished to be kissed by the king. I was willing the weekend to come so I could see the next episodes.

I love the way the characters brought out the barbarity of truth and lies and the plots to control each court faction.

Definitely let there be a series 2. I wait with bated breath. Let's see the blossom of love between the maid and the kings main guard, definitely something to entice us audiences with. Don't let us wait!!!!!!!!.

Us audiences want to see the possibilities of a child between the king and the love of his life. A Queen is born and a son, by god this king needs to have a happy ending. We want to see that this king who has a brilliant mind and ability to lead korea to victory over the impeding menace of the outside political forces.

The king has changed the system to be a worthy kingdom with zero tolerance for rich hording riches and food. He will be strong to keep his people safe and secure in the new Korea he will build with his Queen and Son by his side and adopted late brother's son.

Well done, I am rewatching the episodes again.

I've liked Jo Jung-suk from 'Oh my ghost' and 'Don't dare to dream', so I was easily drawn to this drama. What do I like about him the most... it's those intense loaded looks he gives his female leads that make my heart skip a beat.... and he didn't disappoint in this drama with 'Shin Se-kyung'.

There was a point in one of the episodes where I didn't realise how much I had been holding my breath in great anticipation of a certain meeting.

I've just finished watching episode 5 and have a WHOLE day to wait for the next episode (how will I cope? Lol) The acting has been superb with no dull moments in my opinion. There are so many of the supporting cast that I have been endeared to which is a credit to them bringing their characters to life. I'm not sure why it's been rated lower than I would have expected but the characters are bringing to our present world the cut-throat and back stabbing behaviours of those who wanted power back in the day, which at times is hard to watch. I am hoping and praying that the next 11 episodes don't disappoint.

This drama has catch my attention because of the great chemistry between the two main characters, the king and the player.

Also the casting was a masterpiece.

She delivered an exquisite performance along with the king character, which made the slow paced history bearable.

I remember seeing Jo Jung-Suk at the great KDrama, Hospital Playlist, so I knew he would be embodying the character as his own persona, making the show a immersive experience in the Joseon era bringing a new perspective into the subject. Despite the slow paced scenes the amount of detail and development of the characters made those scenes justify by the end.

I was afraid of the end, because usually they are all the same in this kind of KDrama, but this particular show brought new perspectives and a nice end to are already captivating history.

I recommend it for sure.

KDrama are great to just let go some steam and enjoy the cheesy love stories. Nowadays everything that helps the mind scape a while from the craziness of daily problems, i'm in.

Everything about this drama screamed total perfection of execution. The chemistry between the main leads was top-notch and insane, the acting is... WOW... AWARD WINNING!!! Plus the plot never lets you get bored, neither every episode. People who haven't watched this drama is missing out on a masterpiece! Watching this whole series had put me into an insane roller coaster of emotions and high level of tension! TRULY A GEM AND GREATEST KDRAMA OF ALL TIME! You can never go wrong with Captivating The King, plus the ending is so ethereal and well executed. LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE CAPTIVATING THE KING!!!!

Jo Jung-suk plays Lee In, the brother of the king and is drawn into the intrigue of who will succeed the king who is ill and mistrusts everybody. Shin Se-kyung plays Kang Hee-soo who disguises herself as a man and is an expert in the game of baduk (go) and uses this to gain the trust of Lee In who is unbeaten at the game. It is a story of court intrigue and initially Kang Hee-soo plans to avenge the treatment of her father but as she gets to know him over games of baduk her feelings begin to change. It is a well acted story which starts a little slow and took me a little time to stop imagining Jo Jung-suk in a hospital gown as he did such a good job in hospital playlist. Overall an entertaining watch which just falls short and I get frustrated at how badly some of the side characters are treated, mainly Court lady Doing and the queen. The trope of a beautiful girl dressing as a man has been done many times before but this is overall worth a watch mainly for the acting.

I thought it was a very good drama, thanks for the most part by the acting skills of the main character. Yes, they could have much done better in terms of altering the female lead's appearance to make the story credible. Aside from that, the kissing scenes are awful and there is no passion between the actors who are supposed to have fallen heads over heels for each other. The Queen dowager however played her insavory character with great skills (and humor) and recites her lines perfectly. I thought that in many scenes where they appear, she overwhelms and outshines all the other female characters in the plot.

It starts off with the usual Joseon settings - power fights and intrigues among ministers, a girl in men's clothing with nobody doubting her fake gender, greedy mother and fights for the throne. So far, nothing new in the Joseon universe.

What's new is the mature figure of the (future) king, hilariously interpreted by Jo Jung Suk, the lack of silly dialogues, weak women fainting or loudly crying their souls out. Instead we've got strong, determined female characters and are introduced to the game baduk which the FL is a master of. The whole series is more mature than comparable ones, thus has a slower pace and more mature dialogues. Also the empathy needed for tactics in playing bakuk finds its counterpart in (but not limited to) the behaviour and speech of of the main leads.

All characters are very well acted and believable, the story is told with subtle details, also distinguishing between the king as a private person and being king as a ruler, adding a lot of depth. Or wanting revenge while loving the person, willpower and heart, making the inner struggles of the characters really felt.

This series kept me hooked till the end. I was living with it, wondering how to get out of this or that situation, alternating between there will/won't be a happy ending, hope and despair. The actors, the script, the suspense curve... really well done!

Even if you've watched a lot of other Joseon era movies, go for it. It's well worth it!

I hadn't yet seen a Korean TV Series, and found this work a Feast for the Eyes and Soul.

The Story is very interesting, with unexpected twists and turns, and has everything (romance, history, war, drama, torture, action, comedy, tenderness), all leaving us longing for the next episode. The Cast is fabulous, all Actor/Actress well match, rendering their scenes perfectly, every time. The Lighting is marvellous, creating shadows and volumes that add to the richness of detail. The subdued Makeup make all actors look gorgeous. The Wardrobe is either luxurious or of elegant simplicity, turning everybody (rich and poor) very attractive. The netting hats, with their ellipses, have a dialogue of their own with the faces. The Music is excellent and adequate in all scenes. The natural Landscapes are probably the most beautiful I have seen in years, and the city ones are also interesting.

(The only, tiny reason why I don't give it a round 10, its the Framing of some side view portrait shots, that I thing should have not been centred, but instead obey the proportion of 2 parts in front of the face to 1 part in the back of the head, that results better - but that is a personal preference, that the director may not share.)

In the end, the bad are punished, the good rewarded, and we feel elated for having watched a Work of Art.

Captivating the King is a riveting historical K-drama that offers both breathtaking storytelling and profound emotional depth. The serie weaves a tapestry of intricate layers that captivate from start to finish. At its core is the love story between the two main characters, a bond that somehow transcends the perilous web of court intrigues, perceived betrayals, and impossible odds.

The evolution of their feelings is nothing short of mesmerizing, as their connection deepens through trials that test their resolve, loyalty, and trust. There's an exquisite beauty in how they come to understand each other, their hearts aligning in a way that feels both tender and profound, making every shared glance and hard-won moment of closeness a testament to their enduring strength.

The drama masterfully explores themes of loyalty, duty, and personal sacrifice, presenting a timeless battle between greed, love, power and sacrifice for the greater good. Nothing is ever as it seems, yet the triumph of good over evil is both hard-earned and exhilarating, offering a refreshing celebration of human qualities like intelligence, generosity, and self-sacrifice -- leaving viewers uplifted and inspired.

The characters are the heartbeat of Captivating the King, each imbued with remarkable depth and brought to life by stellar performances. The protagonists, in particular, shine as they navigate their complex emotions and the relentless challenges thrown their way, their chemistry radiating authenticity and grace. The supporting cast is equally compelling, with every role adding richness to the intricate narrative.

Visually, the drama is a feast for the eyes. The costumes are breathtaking, each detail meticulously designed to reflect the era's grandeur and the characters' inner lives. The sets are stunning, immersing viewers in a world that feels both majestic and intimate, while the cinematography, with its luminous light and artful framing, elevates every scene into a visual poem.

Captivating the King is a rare triumph-a drama that not only enthralls with its riveting plot and gorgeous aesthetics but also touches the soul. The beauty of the main characters' growing bond, forged through understanding and resilience, is a highlight that will leave you spellbound. This is a must-watch masterpiece that lingers long after the final scene fades.

This is first and foremost a fictional political drama set sometime during the Joseon dynasty. While there is a romantic sub-thread that underlies and supports everything, the romance is secondary to the political drama. I started watching because it was tagged as a romance drama but continued watching because the political aspect was well done and interesting and the romance, while subtle, was also quite good.

That said, the acting and chemistry between the king Yi In (Jo Jung-suk) and Kang Hee-soo aka Kang Moong-woo (Shin Se-Kyung) is fantastic (except for the couple of kisses which were very lackluster). I especially liked how the 'romance' is primarily just a developing friendship from the King's perspective as he only knows the 'male' Baduk player, Kang Moong-woo for quite a while. The only issue I had with that aspect of the series is the required suspense of disbelief needed for viewing the beautiful Shin Se-Kyung as the man, Kang Moong-woo just because she wore male clothing.... especially with the prevalence of facial hair for most of the other men at the time.

I liked how Baduk was used as the means for bringing the king and Moong-woo together and the excuse for keeping them seeing one another as it symbolizes their expertise in strategy and tactics, they both use to survive in the cutthroat world of palace politics.

I did find the ending rather disappointing. While many sub-threads do get tied up, several are left dangling and Moong-woo's action is baffling. Personally, I am a fan of the happy ending and this one only partially hits the mark.

Really looked forward to watching this. Waited until all the episodes were available to start watching so could blitz to the end.

The "accidental" king who takes the throne when his brother the King is poisoned falls in love with a wannabe spy/traitor who is disguised as a man. Let me say right here right now the she/he does not even pass as a boy! Not even a twinkie. Ayway, Yeah the she/he falls for the king too.

There is all the usual Palace intrigue with the women stuck in there at their very best at being devious. 10/10 to the Dowager Queen, but you can't really act that role badly

There has been a spate of dramas with girls pretending to be boys and confusing the ML who begins to think he is Gay and so here is another one.

The story is basically good. But the absolute lack of PASSION between the ML and the FL literally ruined this drama. It was like watching a Kdrama from the '80s - stiff and unemotional. The FL, Shin Se-kyung, was absolutely dreadful, just one expression dead-pan, occasionally she threw in dead-pan with tears. Will certainly avoid her in anything in future! Not once was I convinced these two Leads were in love or capable of being intimate.

This Director should watch "My Dearest/Lovers" for tips on how to film deep affection/love in a historical context! Even "Mr Queen", was way better at filming believable affection between the leads. Can't believe this was released in 2024. Not tepid or tame, just ice cold!

The cinematography is feeble. When they finally have one night together where the king discovers she is a woman, the light in the room was like a DOZEN led bulbs! Ridiculous.

This is okay to pass the time if you are looking for a historical drama but I had to leave it a few times as I was getting so frustrated with the poor acting. And we know that Jo Jung Suk is a brilliant actor but in this he was so wooden I was baffled. Maybe this was the directors plan? Didn't work for me.

Oh and there is no secondary relationship to ease the boring moments and zero comical moments.

Finally have to mention; watched with Korean audio and English subtitles. The absolute WORSE subtitle translations! So much American modern slang that was totally wrong for the status of the leads. Someone who couldn't comprehend that Royalty do not speak like working class bums and translated as though everyone spoke 'street'. Ugh.

Captivating the King is a perfect example of how a well-executed K-Drama can seamlessly blend compelling storytelling, dynamic performances, and heart-pounding plot twists into a memorable viewing experience.

Captivating the King is a stunning K-Drama that shines thanks to Jo Jung-suk's incredible performance. His portrayal of the conflicted king is both powerful and nuanced, elevating the entire series. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, and the well-written characters keep you emotionally invested. With a compelling plot full of twists and turns, this 16-episode drama offers an engaging mix of romance, political intrigue, and suspense. A must-watch for fans of historical dramas, with a few minor pacing issues, but still highly recommended.