Captivating The King – K-drama Episode 6 Recap & Review

Episode 6

Episode 6 of Captivating the King begins with Lee In confronting Mong Woo about his return. He suspects Mong Woo aims to murder him. Mong Woo asks why Lee In thinks so and Lee In says because he did not save Hongjang despite the pleas. Mong Woo’s comment at the baduk table confirmed his suspicions.

Mong Woo apparently does not harbor any ill intention towards the king. Lee In says something which only reflects his state of mind after losing Mong Woo three years ago.

His friend, whom Mong Woo is indebted to now, suggests having a celebratory drink for Mong Woo’s success. Myung Ha warns him to not get close to Mong Woo. Lee In remembers the day when he and Mong Woo first played. He warned Mong Woo to not be swayed by any temptation or sell favours if he wants to win Lee In’s trust. Mong Woo will be beheaded by Mr Joo if he is found guilty.

Mong Woo leaves and finds Court Lady approaching the Yeongchwijeong. Mr Joo stops the Court Lady from going inside, who insists on taking the herbal medicine to the king herself but is stopped. She is curious about Mong Woo too. Mong Woo discusses the situation with the official from earlier before excusing himself to retire for the night. The official insists on having a meal to celebrate Mong Woo’s appointment but he politely refuses.

Lee In discusses Mong Woo with Mr Jo. He asks Mr Jo to keep a close eye on him, enquiring about the memorial service for the former King, Lee Sun. Mr Jo updates him on the matter and is dismissed. Lee In’s royal mother and his uncle discuss Mong Woo’s appointment and their next plan to secure their hold on Lee In. Mong Woo is followed by some royal guards. He keeps up his appearance until he’s home, after the guards leave.

Hee Soo faints and her personal maid is not happy. She reprimands Dal Ha too. Dal Ha and Hee Soo discuss her interaction with Lee In and Hee Soo’s further action plan as gidaeryeong. At the same time, Lee In studies Mong Woo’s baduk game. Court Lady Dong requests entry into Yeongchwijeong but is met with stern dismissal from Lee In. She reminds him of his promise and he gives in but on the condition that she become proficient in baduk. Alternatively, she can fight Mr Jo and win her place there. 

The following morning, Mr Jo and Lee In discuss Kang Mong Woo and Lee In’s affairs of the day. Everyone at the palace looks surprised to see Mong Woo. Myung Ha is assigned to draft promotion letters. He notices that Hyung Bo will finally return to court. Lee Myung Ha inserts a notice for the king but is reprimanded by his superior. The superior tells Myung Ha to deliver a baduk table. Mong Woo is surprised to see Myung Ha deliver it himself.

Myung Ha asks the reason of Mong Woo’s return. There is a lot of bitterness between them still. Mong Woo invites him to join hands in taking revenge upon the king. Shortly after, Lee In and Mong Woo play a game of baduk. Mong Woo clearly has something to ask of the king. He says that he does not play without a bet; if Lee In wins, he can take Mong Woo’s life. But if Mong Woo wins than Lee In has to grant a wish, whatever it may be. Mong Woo won’t beg to spare his life but Lee In agrees.

The same night, Chu Dal Ha and Hee Soo discuss their next plan of action. Dal Ha nad Hee Soo’s servant head to the gambling den to collect their shares. They end up in a fight but Hyung Bo relieves the battle. Dal Ha and the servant leave while Hyung Bo and Mr Hwan meet the same night. Hyung Bo says he relieved the fight to earn Mong Woo’s trust, assuring Mr Hwan he will make Mong Woo kneel.

The following day, Hyung Bo appears in court. He seeks for counsel from the Principal Director aka the king’s uncle. He threatens Hyung Bo about his appointment. Myung Ha is agitated to see Hyung Bo. Myung Ha soons finds Mong Woo and informs about Hyung Bo’s arrival. He shows Mong Woo another route to Yeongchwijeong and they come across the peach tree.

Myung Ha rejects Mong Woo’s offer of revenge. He firmly believes the plot will fail. Mong Woo says that he is going to arrange for an audience with Grand Prince Munseong and Princess Jangryeong soon, but Myung Ha does not believe Mong Woo.

Just then Lee In arrives. He asks Mong Woo about his reason to visit the Yeongchwijeong. Lee In tells Mong Woo to wait for his summons. After Mong Woo leaves, Lee In talks to Myung Ha. Lee In thinks that Mong Woo and Myung Ha planned a rebellion against him, owing to their history. Myung Ha denies the claims, but it falls on deaf ears. Lee In enquires about methods to revive the peach tree. He dismisses all of Myung Ha’s alternatives, but Mong Woo waits for his summons. After a long wait he is sent back home.

The following day, Lee In practices archery while discussing political matter with the members of the court. He is agitated when the Minister of War objects the high expenses of the troupes. Lee In says the instead he will curtail his expenses when travelling. After he leaves, the court members discuss the gravity of the situation. The prince’s uncle demands a private audience with Mr Hwan asking him to talk to the queen and invite Kang Mong Woo to give her patronage. However, she finds out the truth behind this bluff but Mr Hwan tries to persuade her.

The next morning, Lee In decides to skip the morning assembly and inspect the Directorate of Training instead. The head eunuch relays the news of the king’s movements to the king’s royal mother. She instructs the court lady to tell the queen to carry out her instructions then. Mong Woo is waiting for his summons to Yeongchwijeong when he finds a letter tucked into the baduk stone jars. He is then summoned to the queen’s chambers but he was already made aware of the plans. Mong Woo tells the queen about Lee In’s plan to ambush her quarters after the royal mother visits.

Mong Woo offers a solution to the queen’s problems. The queen’s court lady passes a letter to Grand Prince Munseong as the royal mother arrives. Within this, it reads that Prince Munseong has left for the Royal Garden.

The royal mother finally meets Mong Woo. They engage in some small talk but she does not conceal her intentions of becoming his patron. He respectfully declines, just as Lee In arrives at the chambers. He enquires about the royal mother’s visit to the queen’s chambers. He is surprised to hear the answer and asks the same question to Mong Woo. The royal mother answers instead, saying that the queen might have summoned him. He asks the queen to confirm and wonders why she summoned him.

She fails to justify the answer and Lee In asks Mong Woo to continue. Mong Woo says he was summoned to ask if he would be willing to teach baduk to Grand Prince Munseong. Mong Woo and the queen nicely cover up their lie but Lee In makes his enquiries and summons the prince. He suspects all of them to have lied to him.

After the prince arrives, he corroborates the story. The royal mother is miffed her plan has gone awry. She lashes out at the queen, who profusely demands forgiveness. Lee In softens after hearing the prince wants to learn baduk and allows Mong Woo to teach him. He sees through Mong Woo’s plans. He also sees through his mother’s plans. He asks how Mong Woo plans on safeguarding himself against the royal mother’s plans.

Mong Woo gives a diplomatic answer and Lee In begins to trust his words. Mong Woo asks how Lee In allowed the grand prince’s request, admitting that it reminded him of his childhood. Mong Woo soon meets with the royal children to teach the prince baduk. Lee Myung Ha also waits for them, and they are emotional after seeing Myung Ha.

At the court, Lee In goes through petitions and heads to Yeongchwijeong but he is reminded that Mong Woo is currently teaching the prince. Mr Jo sees through the fact the Lee In’s mind is occupied by Mong Woo these days. Lee In feigns ignorance but does know it is the truth. He instructs no one to follow him and leaves.

Myung Ha and Mong Woo talk about Mong Woo’s revenge plan. He hugs Mong Woo and Myung Ha says he is afraid to hurt Mong Woo (Hee Soo) again. He accepts the revenge plan but Lee In sees them in embrace as the episode comes to a conclusion.

The Episode Review

Well, seeing Myung Ha and Mong Woo is quite a shocker for Lee In. What will he think of that? What are the next steps in Mong Woo’s plans? The episode turned out beautifully though. We saw an advancement and some shape to Mong Woo’s revenge plans. We also saw how the king’s mother controls so many aspects around her. The politics are really deep rooted in that palace and things look like they could kick off in the upcoming episodes.