The King’s Affection gave fans an ending more wonderful than what they had ever imagined. The King’s Affection had fans hooked ever since we saw Park Eun Bin sitting on the throne in the Joseon era, ruling like a true leader. Furthermore, Han Hee Jung (Clean With A Passion For Now) has blown away all our minds with her spectacular storytelling. The series consisted of moments that could wreck your heart, but they were all balanced with the too-sweet-to-be true romance between Jung Ji Woon and Lee Hwi. To add the cherry on top, The King’s Affection raised questions on gender stereotypes and casteism. It answered the decade-long question. ”Is a female worthy of wearing the crown and ruling the people?”
Song Hyun Wook, the mastermind behind Graceful Friends and The Beauty Inside, was in charge of the direction for this drama. He captures brilliantly how Da Mi is treated respectfully as Lee Hwi, she can never let go of her true self. Her tragic story inspired her to build a better nation for the people of Joseon. From sympathizing with an official of the Ming dynasty to making her own cousin bow down to a slave, Da Mi’s rule was truly iconic. As this brilliant era of The King’s Affection comes to an end, in this article we will be telling you all that you need to know about the ending of The King’s Affection and if the series is going to have a season 2.
Did Lee Hwi Get What He Deserved In The King’s Affection Ending?
Ever since The King’s Affection aired it’s first episode on the 11th of October, fans were sure that Lee Hwi’s secret is going to be revealed one day or the other. Although we all felt bad for Da Mi, the audience was curious to know how will the conservative palace react when they find out that the young prince sitting on the throne was actually the twin sister who was ordered to be killed. Moreover, The King’s Affection Episodes 19 and 20 revealed a lot of shocking facts. The Dowager Queen and Lord Samgheon had everyone who was aware of the birth of twins killed so that the secret does not come out. In a move to keep Lord Songheon in her reins, she says if the secret ever comes out, then the Lord Songheon and the Queen will have to face their punishment.
However, the secret does come out, and it comes out in the most unexpected way. Prince Wonsang let his greed and selfish desires get the best of him and joined hands with Lord Songheon. In exchange for Lee Hwi’s dead body, Lord Songheon promised Prince Wonsan the throne.
The Blood Bath At The Castle
When both Lee Hwi and the fans least expected it, Prince Wonsang strikes again. With Lord Songheon’s hidden army following his lead, it was impossible to defeat him easily. If everything went according to plan, then Lee Hwi would have bestowed the crown to little Prince Gyeom. However, Jaehyun’s older brother returned with an army as strong as steel. What followed was the brutal killing of thousands of Lee Hwi’s soldiers and, most importantly, those who were close to her. One of the most heartbreaking scenes in this 20 episode long historical kdrama, is when the little prince Gyeom dies yelling for Hyun.
Da Mi loses another brother that she cherished greatly. Upon seeing that Prince Wonsang is hurting Gyeom, the Queen herself enters the scene with a bow. Yet another amazing female empowerment that The King’s Affection has given us, Gyeom was her only family and her string to a better future. Prince Wonsang did not stop there and went pointed the sword at his own brother. However, Prince Jaehyun was able to live thanks to Kim Ga On’s help. She was not the only one who lost a family member that night. Jung Ji Woon’s father and the royal guard of Lord Songheon, Jung Seok Jo, was killed by none other than Lord Songheon himself. This night will forever be plastered in the viewer’s minds. The sheer desperation and skills shown by Park Eun Bin, Rowoon, Nam Yoon Su, and Choi Byung Chan are remarkable.
Jung Ji Woon’s Love Brings Da Mi Back To Life
Watching all the people closest to her suffer, Da Mi was heartbroken. In the darkness of the night, filled with despair, when she saw no hope, Da Mi decided to sacrifice herself. Furthermore, she figured that the only way to make Lord Songheon stop was to give away the Crown. And she was right about him wanting the crown. But what Da Mi did not know was that her grandfather wanted her head as well. What follows is an intense conversation between Da Mi and Lord Songheon over tea.
He tells her that he cherished the time spent with her and how things could have been much better if she were a boy. What Lord Songheon did not know is that Da Mi had been poisoned with the same herb that he used to kill her father. In order to make him drink, she does not hesitate to drink it up as well. Thankfully, Jung Ji Woon comes to her rescue in the nick of time and saves her. Jung Ji Woon proves that he is the best male lead ever yet again.
Lee Hwi Faces His Punishment
Thankfully, the terrifying storm passed away, and Prince Jaehyun became the King. We all felt liberated when Lee Hwi told the Dowager Queen that she is the twin girl because of whom the Queen ordered the killing of thousands of innocent lives. Although she was shocked on hearing the news, the guilt for her crime was evident in her eyes. When the battle was over, the Queen made sure to tell everyone that Lord Sangheon is not going to get a proper funeral. Furthermore, she told Da Mi that it’s okay if she runs away without facing her punishment. However, Da Mi refuses this offer and bravely steps up to take her punishment. The scene where Lee Hwi sits in front of King Jaehyun, awaiting her punishment, will never fail to send goosebumps down our spines.
Although we all expected a treacherous punishment, something unexpected happened. One by one, all the ministers and officials that worked under Da Mi started bowing down and begged the King to be generous. Minister Shin Yeong Su, who speaks his mind, brilliantly pointed out that Da Mi never had a choice. And she was in fact, the victim of the corrupt deeds committed by others. Lastly, Lee Hwi gets sentenced with paenghyung. This meant that all records of Lee Hwi in the court will no longer exist, and her identity as Da Mi will be restored.
The fact that this suggestion was made by Jung Ji Woon is truly no shock. As Prince Hyun takes over the throne, Chief Hong and Court Lady Kim stay behind with him in the castle. After the millions of confusions and hardships are thrown in their way, Jung Ji Woon and Da Mi finally meet and get to live the life they deserve.
Will The King’s Affection Have A Season 2?
This historical kdrama easily became one of the most buzzworthy kdramas that aired in 2021. The King’s Affection discussed female rights, had a main lead that genuinely thought he was gay and chose to embrace it, and maintained the thrill and mystery all throughout its twenty episodes. Moreover, along with being aired on KBS2 at the popular 21:30 KST time slot, this historical kdrama was also being released on Netflix. Not only was it the most trending kdramas in South Korea but also received tons of appreciation from audiences all around the globe. When a series reaches such enormous heights, there is always the question, is there going to be a season 2? The director and screenwriter of this magnificent kdrama have given a deserving and beautiful end to all the characters of The King’s Affection. So far, Netflix nor KBS2 has renewed The King’s Affection for a season 2.
The main villains of the story, Lord Sangheon, Prince Chang Woon, and Prince Won San all died. Adding to the victory was the fact that at the end of the day, the throne was in the good hands of King Hyun. While trying to escape the castle earlier, Jung Ji Woon had asked her what did she want from him. Da Mi did not wish for anything grand and just asked for a hairpin. Despite being in power for so long, Da Mi always remained the sensible girl. She never once forgot those who were responsible for her misery and continuously worked towards making a better nation.
Ever since the very beginning, fans were worried that The King’s Affection will have a very sad ending. However, the creators of The King’s Affection gave fans a pleasant surprise. Although the ending was justified, fans hope to see the wonderful cast and their amazing chemistry on the same screen again. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for The King’s Affection Season 2.
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