As Prince Yi Hwi confronts a predicament protecting a lowly servant, Jaeun consoles her by revealing a long-held secret.
Meanwhile, Prince Jaeun’s revelation paves the way for Yi Hwi to unleash her female appearance, but is cut short when the king pays a visit to her chamber.
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Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Finale + Review |
The King’s Affection Episode 11 Key Moments
One’s heart is not an object that can be controlled at will.
After painfully delivering the resignation letter to Yi Hwi, Ji-un chooses to leave the capital, but So-eun urges him to stay. He expresses gratitude for his encounter with So-eun and apologizes to her for being unable to grant her request.
From afar, Lord Changun sees a chance when he witnesses So-eun having feelings for someone else following her selection as Crown Princess. Lord Changun quickly informs Yi Hwi’s grandfather of the news and seeks protection in exchange.
Afterwards, Yi Hwi is on a stroll outside the palace with her bodyguard, Ga-on. She catches her uncle Changun dragging So-eun’s loyal maid. Changun believes that now that her master has been demoted, it is time to vent his rage on her.
At this time, Yi Hwi stops her uncle, taunts him for his disrespectful behavior, and threatens him with her authority. She provokes her uncle effectively and rescues So-eun’s maid.
Following that, Yi Hwi pays a visit to So-eun, who professes appreciation for saving the maid and apologizes for causing trouble in their arranged marriage.
On the other hand, Yi Hwi commends her for courageously confronting her feelings, recognizing that one’s heart is not something one can control. She envies So-eun for being able to convey her actual sentiments, which she is unable to do.
Consequently, Prince Hwi informs her that if not for their current circumstances, they might have had a strong friendship.
While leaving So-eun’s house, Yi Hwi and Ga-on heard a woman scream and instantly went to the location of the scream. They discover So-eun’s maid has been murdered and is covered in blood. Yi Hwi notices a jade button on her hand that Changun owns.
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“There is no such thing as a petty life. And there is not a single person who should die for no reason.”
Confronting her uncle for the murder of So-eun’s maid, Yi Hwi pledges to uncover the truth and promises to hold him accountable.
Yi Hwi enters Changun’s residence with the assistance of Jaeun, who is now entertaining him, to gather evidence of his crime. Soon after he discovers what Jaeun is up to with his visit, he discovers that Yi Hwi has invaded his property.
When checking if the weapon was in its hiding place, Changun did not find anyone there. However, Yi Hwi appears to Changun unexpectedly, thanking him for leading to the evidence.
After verifying Changun’s wrongdoing and expressing her fury, Yi Hwi insists on sparing his life if he bows down to the maid’s grave and begs for forgiveness, which Changun reluctantly does.
Making a royal relative bow at the slave’s tomb creates a massive uproar in the palace, where Yi Hwi is scolded by the Queen Dowager for her carelessness. Yi Hwi, in her defense, affirms that she just followed her father’s advice to serve their people and her grandmother’s counsel to protect the royal blood‘s honor.
On successfully gaining her father’s support, she was dismissed and the situation was left to the older monarchs.
As she leaves, she is accosted by her grandfather, who disciplines her for failing to consider the possibility that her actions might upset other royal relatives and members of the nobility.
Continuing to lecture her about the principles of disrupting social class orders, Yi Hwi argues that no one has the right to ignore another’s life and that no one should die for no reason.
The King’s Affection Episode 11 Musings
The King’s Affection episode 11 serves as a wake-up call for Prince Yi Hwi, as it proves through the scholars’ reactions that the code by which their people live has remained constant since she was born.
Similarly, this episode delivers a significant lesson from Yi Hwi regarding her perspective on her people’s existence, regardless of whether they are of royal blood or born a slave. Additionally, a major revelation has been made as Jaeun admits that he has known from the start that Yi Hwi is Dami and that she disguises herself as the prince.
Correspondingly, Jaeun promises Yi Hwi that he will protect her at any cost. Then he informs her that even if she overcomes the palace problem, she would never be free of it. That is why, Jaeun earnestly advises her to leave the palace permanently and gives the red shoes to Yi Hwi.
Furthermore, episode 11 highlights Yi Hwi’s courage in standing her ground when questioned by her grandfather, and she is no longer afraid to succumb to their erroneous judgments. She exhibits remarkable resolve in speaking up for her values and refusing to be swayed by her biological grandfather’s principles.
With the sneak peek of episode 12 preview, more chaos is expected at the palace, particularly when the king discreetly observes Yi Hwi walking in the shoes Jaeun gave her. Viewers will definitely await subsequent moments featuring a female Yi Hwi dressed in a stunning hanbok.
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Photos/Videos: KBS | 1theK
