On January 9, 2024, Netflix unveiled the English-subbed Captivating the King trailer of the upcoming period melodrama South Korean series 세작 매혹된 자들 starring Jo Jung-suk and Shin Se-kyung in lead roles. Studio Dragon is yet again backing such an enterprise that will soon take over the minds of the audience as soon as it stars airing in January. Directed by Jo Nam-guk, and written by Kim Seon-deok, the ‘sageuk’ title is centred around intense themes that will introduce many power struggles as a web of deception and an unprecedented love saga also get intertwined with the story gradually.
The unveiled trailer video drives a strong case for Se-kyung’s character disguising herself as a man in order to get in the good books of the king of Joseon, played by Jung-suk. Kang Hee-soo is a woman who adeptly excels at the game of Baduk (aka Go), and using that as an advantage, she seeks to win over the Grand Prince of Jinhan. Posing as a man named Kang Mong-woo, she attempts to befriend him, as the Grand Prince later acquires the throne. Unbeknownst to him, Hee-soo, or Mong-woo, as he recognises her, had only wiggled her way into the court to get her revenge.
However, fate has other plans for them, as, soon enough the the whole design of deception falls back on Hee-soo and she finds herself falling for the very man she’d hoped to deceive. Prince Lee In, though portrayed as the pinnacle of authority, feels miserable and lonely inside.
He has no one on his side he can trust, and that’s when he’s completely taken in by Mong-woo’s charm as they both find friendship in each other while indulging in Baduk. Despite it all, Lee In’s ledger drips with blood, and when Hee-soo needs it the most, she’s denied mercy in all forms. What led her to rise as a spy in his court and deceive him? Who backstabbed Lee In for him to lose all calm and cause Hee-soo such pain? Stay tuned to find out.
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Captivating the King Kdrama is set to release on tvN on January 21, 2024, at 9:20 PM KST. The series will also be streamed on TVING and Netflix, and new episodes will premiere every Saturday and Sunday. The romance drama will also star Lee Shin-young, Park Ye-young, Choi Dae-hoon, Lee Gyu-hoe and others. As for the main cast, Shin Se-kyung was last seen in Arthdal Chronicles Season 2, and is also well known for her leading roles in Run On and Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung, whereas, Jo Jung-suk has delivered memorable performances in series like Hospital Playlist and Nokdu Flower.
Watch the Captivating the King Trailer
Captivating the King will start streaming on January 21, 2024, on Netflix in selected regions for international viewers.
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