In the seventh episode of The King’s Affection, Crown Prince Yi Hwi couldn’t resist not helping Ji-un in his current predicament.
Exhibiting a variety of Yi Hwi’s emotions and personalities, this episode is where she ultimately prepares her battle inside the palace. Crown Prince Yi Hwi, who is fearful of confronting her fears, especially Lord Sangheon and the Palace, musters her courage to do so.
Bringing to light the truth behind Ji-un’s false accusations and possessing a burning ambition even in her rage, she wishes to follow her grandfather’s footsteps as far as it will take her.
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Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 |
The King’s Affection Episode 7 Key Moments
“He’s your friend, isn’t he? And he’s also my tutor.”
Facing difficulty upon securing Ji-un’s position as Royal Tutor, Yi Hwi defends him by informing the king that she was the one who transported the captives.
As everyone is taken aback by the prince’s sudden appearance, she uncovers how the prisoners’ living conditions were atrocious, resulting in many starving or freezing to death. That is why she is also apologizing to the King for the prisoners’ unannounced transfer.
Moreover, she conveys critical information concerning the incidents at Samgaebang. After allowing the prince to speak on the subject, Yi Hwi continues to defend Royal Tutor Jung, stating that he has never violated the palace’s class system’s customs.
Clearly, this indicates that those who deliberately disobeyed them are high-class men. She enlists the assistance of Prince Jaeun to elicit two witnesses to corroborate her claims. Following that, she accuses the king and high-ranking officials of failing to adequately investigate Ji-un’s background prior to appointing him as the Royal Tutor.
Meanwhile, Lord Sangheon is pleased with the prince for asserting her desire to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather.
Furthermore, Ji-un regards Yi Hwi with devotion and admiration for rescuing him from his predicament and for helping his friends from near-death situations. He expresses gratitude to both Yi Hwi and Jaeun and then discovers that he may finally meet with his friends.
Prince Jaeun informs Yi Hwi that he had no idea she would take steps to resolve the matter. She responds that he is Jaeun’s friend and also her tutor, which is why she assisted Ji-un.
“Doing what you love and being happy is the definition of a successful life.”
Paying a visit to her mother, Ji-un finds her outside their house, ready to confront people who speak ill of him. Afterwards, his mother inquires as to how long Ji-un will seek refuge away from home.
Ji-un, on the other hand, simply smiles at her and apologizes, refusing to answer his mother’s question. His mother then informs him that he may visit whenever he pleases. Explaining to him that success does not necessarily include locating a job in the palace, successful life is defined by doing what Ji-un enjoys and being able to be happy.
Returning to the palace, Yi Hwi is surprised to see that her tutor, Ji-un, is still there, despite her expectation that he would immediately leave once his assistants were safe. Evidently, Ji-un assures Yi Hwi that he cannot possibly depart now that she has gone to such lengths to clear his name. He chose to remain where his heart is for the time being.
Assuming Yi Hwi was audacious and cold-hearted, but discovering that this was not the case and Ji-un not wanting to cloud his judgment, he finds that Yi Hwi is a very generous and good person.
“Like the good rain that falls when most needed, I will be someone who you can count on.”
Having Ji-un’s cheerful mood has Yi Hwi being mystified. He goes joyfully alongside her and trips, but Yi Hwi swiftly swoops him up in her little arms, stopping him from falling.
However, Yi Hwi pushes him to the ground, acknowledging they were in an awkward situation. Nonetheless, Ji-un gleefully continues to refer to the prince as cool.
Taking their lesson outside the royal institute, Yi Hwi inquires Ji-un about what he has been writing that is taking so much time. Ji-un then presents her a piece of his writing, which reads, “a good rain knows its seasons right.” Appropriately expressing his gratitude to Yi Hwi for her assistance.
Encouraging her that, like good rain that falls when it is most needed, Ji-un will be someone who Yi Hwi can rely on. Just as she was to him during his time of greatest need.
“Please let me be in charge of receiving the envoys.”
With the king’s failing health condition, Yi Hwi was appointed to welcome the Ming envoys. Yi Hwi personally requests permission from his father to meet the Ming envoy in his place. Upon initially refusing, he agrees after she inquires about his father’s lack of faith in her due to her grandfather or Gyeom.
When the Ming envoy arrives at the palace, everyone is prepared to welcome him. While Yi Hwi and Prince Jaeun are hospitable and cordial, the Ming guests are not.
The palace hosts a dinner to greet the Ming people. That becomes a mess when a man offends the ill-tempered Ming guest, to the point of executing the man in front of everyone.
As nobody tries to speak, Yi Hwi intervenes and reminds him that he is a guest at the palace and is not authorized to administer punishments. Ji-un, too, enters and becomes embroiled in the conflict, receiving liquor thrown in his face. He is hauled away, though, when he attempts to throw more.
The King’s Affection Episode 7 Musings
In the latest episode, it implies that Yi Hwi is no longer afraid when her grandfather, the Left State Councilor, condemned her acts for deviating from the path he desires for her. Without a doubt, she asserted to him that she wished to follow in his footsteps by fighting for Ji-un in court.
Royal tutor Ji-un hands the pills to Yi Hwi, who had not been seen by anyone, not even the legendary physician Hua Tuo. This clearly shows how his affection grows even stronger when he informs her that those medications will provide her with courage and alleviate her anxiety during a difficult period.
Furthermore, Ji-un places a beaming smile on Yi Hwi’s face when the icy prince is so rarely seen with that type of smile. Consequently, once she sees Ji-un at the market with So-eun later in the episode, she quickly transforms into a frowning Yi Hwi.
That being said, the prince’s jealous side is evidently seen by Yi Hwi’s continuous glance at the girl next to Ji-un during their meal together. I have to say that episode 7 is one of my favorites so far.
This episode also exhibited Yi Hwi’s affection for those around her, and her ability to portray a range of emotions and fearlessly express her values, which makes her the king that Joseon deserves.
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