K-Drama Reaction: The King Loves

More deaths and betrayals continue this week as the show nears its ending. Who will Eun San end up with? But more importantly, who does she really love? Both men protect her with all their might, but with two different approach. One is willing to side with the enemy just to see her, and the other is locking her up for safety within the four walls of the palace.

GRUMPY ALLEY

The King Loves is the kind of drama that you just can’t let go because of your love for its main leads, in spite of all the inconsistencies. It hauntingly stays with you no matter how much you wanted to drop it. Every episode gets so disappointing, yet I am still here, painfully holding on to the tiny inch of hope that somehow our three best friends will fight on and trust each other to surpass this never ending hurdle.

QUEEN’S DEATH

Although I have this love-hate relationship with the Queen, I still felt a pinch of sadness when she passed away. She was just a daughter living as a pawn of her conqueror father, a mother trying to protect her son, and a wife fighting for the affection of her husband.

It’s just so sad that up until her last breath, she was unable to make peace with both her husband and her son. She failed to save her ailing husband from the evil surrounding him and her son from those trying to kill him.

A BETRAYAL OR A COVERT PLAN?

I don’t know if it’s just because I have watched numerous dramas before, but Wang Rin’s (Hong Jong-hyun) story line is getting predictable. I still want to trust him even if everyone gave up on him already. Master Lee, Princess Wonseung, and Won (Siwan) all thought they were betrayed by Rin. Only the ailing King trusts him now. I don’t know about Eun San (Yoona), but since we never saw anything after that bridge kiss, I assume her heart is now leaning towards Won more.

Because of his eagerness to see San, Rin plotted a secret plan with Song-in (Oh Min-suk) and his men. I don’t know how much of this plan will cost Won danger, but I want to believe that Rin can never hurt Won. Rin will not do anything that will harm the Crown Prince or the King, especially now that Rin is aware that the King knows how bad the situation under Song-in is.

I trust Rin more than anyone else in this drama because 1) he is not easily shaken by the convincing words of Song-in, 2) he knows Won more than anyone in Goryeo, and 3) he has a pure heart. Those three characters can really place him in the top of the royal throne, but I know he can never betray his friend, his family, and San.