I'm glad we're finally getting to Won baring his fangs - I didn't care for him at all whenever his character moments were about his one-sided romance. I love that finally everyone is (mostly) on the same page and we can see some real transformations happening, and real conflict as well.

This episode was INTENSE. I seriously suggest to those just reading recaps to watch the show, at least this ep, because a lot of detail and nuance is lost in not actually seeing the show. For example, I loved that silent montage of San alone in her room-jail, to Rin exercising off some frustration (and newfound knowledge) and Won burning the midnight oil to find a way to help his friends. The transition between the three scenes was amazing (just that shot of the camera panning down to Won, who was squished in by the wooden decor, mimicking his whole world closing down on him), and I love how it's a silent metaphor of their parts in the story: San has done her part, Rin continues to try to do something but is essentially ineffectual, and now it's Won's turn to act. Love love love it.

I also love the confrontation between Rin and Won! Finally, Rin snapped! And the look of anger and betrayal on Won's face when he realized that Rin and San kept her identity secret from him, but Rin not caring because San will be sent as a tribute--GAAAH SO. GOOD. And when they finally sat down to talk with each other--HALLELUJAH. See boys, you can accomplish so much more if you just hashed it out. I love that Won is so quick on the uptake but he still has time to test Rin, and Rin's flabbergasted speechlessness at the knowledge that San loves somebody else, oh my.

I loved San's conversation with the Queen, how she was so honest, and how the Queen, who knows firsthand how to be beside someone who you love but does not love you in return, is so disappointed by San not returning her son's feelings but is visibly moved by how the latter still cares deeply for her son. And when she witnesses Rin and San looking at each other--Won definitely got his smarts from his mother's side.

I also love the parallel between San wanting to return the hairpin Won gave her, and her being so happy that Rin carries the dagger around (did you see the little flower on the dagger handle?) and tentatively asking whether he's returning the dagger, and her small smile when he says he's just letting her borrow it. I love that he tries to protect her, but does not stop her from fighting beside him.

I love that San is smart, she knows that Song In needs the money immediately for his rebellion, so she agrees to give it to him in return for her family's protection, but only if he gets it in small increments--ensuring that her family's money will not be used for an uprising. And I love that she and her dad still had another failsafe to ensure her protection. And I LOVE that she tells Gu Hyeong to go to Rin if all else fails.

I love that Won has realized that he needs the power to protect the people he loves (essentially solving the riddle answer Lee Seung Hey gave to his question) because he has seen how such a big mess was created from the people he loves trying to protect him. I love that he trusts Rin so implicitly to be the moral compass and guiding pole in his new...

That cliffhanger ending! When Rin & San walked through the door led by that eunuch, I was screaming, "Nooo! Noo, don't go there!" And when Won asked the guards to let go of San's hand and went against the King, I cheered for him. It's about time for Won to step up for power as the King is weak and delusional. I wonder when they said 2/3, what's the third thing Crown Prince could get?

Princess Wonsung once again captured my heart when her heart soften after Won called her, "Mom." I almost cried because of her expression. And when her heart broke a bit after she asked San, "who is Crown Prince to you?" and knew how pity and lonely her son is because San's in love with Rin, but she didn't force San to accept Won, but understand San's feelings.

Yeay for Won!! I am so rooting for him in that last scene. Go for it Won! Make yourself more powerful than the foolish and insecure King. I just can't wait to see Won become King ><

I just want to say I love heroines who can fight and lovelovelove that Rin LET her fight. So not into heroes in dramas who underestimate what a girl can do

Thanks for the recap TeriYaki ! I was confused about the two out of three things, and it didn't even occur to me that Teacher Lee might be the third.

Anyway, that scene where Rin pinned Jang Eui's head to the wall? LOVE IT. Hahaha. Got to have some comic relief in the midst of all these intense situations

I really love that moment where Princess Wonsung and San were having a heart to heart. It was really sad to see her heart break a little for her son who she knows genuinely loves San but only not to love him in return. She knows that feeling because she is the same to the king. Like mother, like son. Maybe she felt happy that San not only had money and influence because of her father but she also wished that her son would also get his happy ending from San.

To be honest, it would have made a lot of sense from the beginning if San and Won got married, they would have being the ideal couple because they will have it all- Love and Money. But like Won said, if San was an easy woman to have, he could have had her already but he knows she is not. He is the Crown Prince, he could have his pick of any noble woman. At the beginning I thought he just wanted to possess her because he was infatuated with her, but I am glad to know he actually has developed a lot of respect for her as a human being.

As sad as I am for Won, I am living for RinSan moments. They are swoon worthy. I have to really praise all the camera work in this episode. They really do capture all the tender moments between these two couples. All the emotions that they express with their eyes speaks a thousand words although I wish they both would just burst out and express their feelings for each other. It is starting to get a bit frustrating all the silent talk they are having with their eyes even though it makes me so happy. The wardrobe department needs a special shoutout, all their clothes are so magnificent and extravagant, what you would expect from the nobles to wear. I thought Seven Day Queen had amazing wardrobe but this is on another level. It is so aesthetically pleasing.

That last scene really showed clearly the conflict San faces. I don't think she's fallen for Won. From her body language, I'm pretty certain it's Rin she's smitten with. But because of Won's very direct wooing she probably never realized that she likes Won only as a friend. And now, it's just too late for her to clear the misunderstanding.

It's one thing to say I'm not into you, but a whole other thing to do it when he's just defied the king for you!

But I'm confused about Won too. He seems smart, and its obvious he sees the tension between the two. Why doesn't he realize that they like each other? He seems to be willfully ignoring that San might not like him.

That ending. I say bring it on. It's time for Won to finally and truly show his other side. He isn't going to win and keep those he cares for safe if he chooses to stay in the shadows and continue to show a facade. Sometimes, what it takes is to level with the enemy. Think like them. Move like them. As always, looking forward to the next episode.

Want to post this first before I even read your review of this latest episode. I'm re watching the episodes and taking notes (now that we're halfway done) because I've missed a lot and I never noticed before, but there sure are a lot of scenes briefly showing caged birds (mostly two birds). Seeing how the very first scene was Won letting the falcon free, and later saying he wanted to keep San in a birdcage, I'm wondering if this is symbolic of him wanting to keep both San and Rin in a "birdcage". Perhaps the ending will be like the beginning and he lets them free just as he let the falcon free. Just my theory, and now I'll go read your review and make lots of other comments! Thanks.

I'm always speculating what will happen to Rin...the times Won has shown extreme, violent anger outbursts when someone hurt San. What will he do if and when he feels betrayed by Rin towards San. He's already suspicious, or he knows, but wants to possess her anyway. Won's feelings are so complicated in a way, but simple in a way too. What will power do to him? So looking forward to how this all plays out. Kind of like a chess game (or baduk?). Since this is all psychologically based for the characters, it makes it so interesting. Sorry, right now my thoughts are all over the place.

So much characters I like this episode:
- Furatai. I just realized that he is a good person too and loyal to princess WS. I like his hairstyle and dress.
- Biyeon. Sweet girl
- Princess Wonsung. She may appears cruel, but in this ep I can feel how lonely she is... And how she wants to protect his son from anything.

Honestly... The King has to go. Why does he trust BooYong so much? How long did he know her? 2 months? And he already trust her so much to be suspicious to his son? I don't believe him when he said he didn't want to believe when people said his son tried to shoot him with an arrow. Didn't he ACTUALLY ALREADY BELIEVE that Won tried to kill him? Stupid king... I hope Won finally snap, gain power and claim the throne asap!

My fave scenes as always... Rin-San's moment when he gave her his clothes... I reply those scenes over and over again. (yes, I am that shallow).
I like San and Princess WS's conversation too... If they are not in (the road of) war, san could be a friend and a doughter to WS so that WS wouldn't be too lonely..

Thanks for a great review Teri Yaki!

I'm so glad I stuck it out for Song Ji Nah. After Healer, I wanted to see what she would do with a sageuk. At first I found Won to be not a character I could actually care about and root for. He seemed to be more a character that reacted to things done to him, and who prized his own comforts and wants over the important affairs of court, over the building of relationship and understanding with his father and even over the threats from enemies.

It's great now that even knowing his lack of power, he has decided to be a character of more agency and is taking whatever control he can in order to help others.

I glory in the fact that he is highly intelligent and observant (something that seemed unlikely since he could not even recognise San behind a veil), and that he has already figured out that there is something more between Rin and San than mere friendship. Instead of letting resentment or jealousy cloud his decisions, he has chosen to act in such a way as to save both his friends.

I liked the fact that he chose to stay in the palace, knowing that he'd be under house arrest. He had taken to heart the Master's words about finding what he would not abandon, and was committing himself to his people... first to his immediate friends, and hopefully... to the people being ruled by a weak and foolish king.

As usual with this writer, I find I want to re-watch many scenes to try to catch all the nuances and all the clues that have been placed, which I missed. Onward now, Won, Rin and San!

So is there any hope for my wonsan ? T.T tbh I am ok with rinsan. But I already fell in love with won's charm...He is very manly as CP, he loves san more than himself (maybe he would move heaven and earth for her XD), He never gives up defending the woman he loves. I love his character ( bratty, badass, and smart).
Won and San are my ideal king and queen...

We are already half way down? I'm eager to see what's gonna be for every one but kinda sad as well that the show is approaching the end faster (uuh how time flies). This drama is beauty all around. Captivating cinematography, pretty costumes, breathtaking silent moments and of course its beautiful heart characters. I wish more people are watching The King Loves.

Where did Won's army in training go? They disappeared. Wonder if they'll show up in the next scene and there's a coup. Hmm...
And in Ep 5 he told Rin's father he didn't mind a blood bath.

So I ended up marathoning Mama in 3 days just to see our young and adult Rin shared the same scenes? They're really adorable there. The drama itself is heavy tearjerking and I strongly avoided it at first but I embraced my self for Yoon Chan-young and Hong Jong-hyun.

Yay, Won finally showed his inner badass! Go get 'em! These weeks episodes were so good, both in character development and plotwise.

My heart broke a little bit for Won, but I think it's good that we have some sort of confirmation, that what he feels for San is a lot more than what she feels for him (not that we needed it. I mean, we all saw how are Rin and San looking at each other) I feel sorry for him, but I think I low key jumpped the ship long ago, without even realising it, because I was not as affected. I was more affected by San wearing Rin's clothes, though...

Thanks for your recap and commentary, TeriYaki!

I cannot help but recall that it was Won's insistence on hiding his identity seven years earlier that set this whole tragedy of errors rolling in the first place. Rin later asked him how long he was going to continue his masquerade and he replied, "As long as it's fun." Are we still having fun, Won?

I loved the scene in which Rin finally gives Won a piece of his mind over proposing to his sister instead of San -- and then the two promptly sit down to strategize. The dust settles quickly and efficiently as they plan their next moves. But that look on Rin's face when he learns that San has told Won that she has eyes for someone else... The truth is out.

I hadn't recognized Lee Sabu in the carriage accompanied by Furatai, so now (I think) I understand the cryptic statement that Won "has two of three." The martial arts master escapes just after the carriage arrives at the palace -- which implies to me that maybe Won will be having a meeting with him after all, and will get to ask his wolfdog question again.

Speaking of wolfdogs, I'm getting serious flashbacks to Wang So in MOON LOVERS and Yi Yeok in SEVEN DAY QUEEN. Like them, Won has had to live a low-profile life to merely survive in the political snakepit of the court. And just like the other princes, Won makes his bid for power so he can protect his loved ones -- but at what cost to the two relationships he most highly prizes?

As Linda Palapala August 18, 2017 at 7:31 PM noted, free-spirited tomboy San would not want to live in the palace's toxic environment, a sentiment expressed by Hae-Soo and Ga-ryung in the dramas mentioned above. Oh, and that goes for Wang So's merchant "buddy" Shin Yool in SHINE OR GO CRAZY, too.

Bravo that Finance Minister Eun and San already had a plan to thwart the money-grubbing creeps who are after his assets. This is epic! These folks take risk management deadly seriously, and I love it. I just hope that Goo-hyung was able to spirit the documents away to safety. But where would that be?

Re: the duplicity of Eunuch Choi, seeing him put on the act of running for a doctor for Princess Wonsung was bad enough, but when I saw him open the gate for Rin and San, I knew he was up to no good. Although the King and Song In are supposedly allied against Princess Wonsung, I can't help but think that Song In is on his own side, and that Eunuch Choi is really working for him.

Thank goodness for comic relief. Rin's enforcement of his "no peeking" order while San changed out of her girly duds cracked me up. It just goes to show that Jang Eui is a red-blooded all-Goryeon guy underneath his professionally detached demeanor as Won's bodyguard. He just doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve the adorkable way Jin Gwan does. ;-)

Apropos of the clothes-changing scene, it parallels the two earlier rooftop scenes between Rin and San. In the most recent conversation on the roof, Rin slipped his cloak over her shoulders in a visual display of the protection he has extended over her since he helped her evade discovery by Song In at the teahouse. It is only when she starts to lose her balance and he catches her that she recognizes his touch from her first rescue, and finally puts two and two together. What a great series of scenes.

there is so many good moment and Idk how to write it all,

- I like when Won and Rin meet after the tea party, they scream and then talk, they meet eye to eye.
- Princess Wonsung and San conversation is such a bittersweet moment. She realised that San is a good girl and it really shows that she likes San's affection to her but she also realised that San has her own feeling.
- The changing dress scene, when San said that the clothes are too big and Rin used his hair string to tied her pants, that is awesome.
[it reminds me of tying your shoe laces in Descendant of the Sun].
- Won finally raised his voices and try to gain his power. I have a concern when Won asked Rin to be his flagpole and remember that he still wants San as his priority. I don't think Rin and San can do that for more time.
- San's father and San already making their choices and Song-In get greed faster.

Idk what else to say but I love every moment of the ep even if the next ep feels bleak.

This drama makes me think what if San and Rin get betrothed like the 1st plan.
The 3 will grow up together and San will be their friend while both of them grow fond of her from time to time.
It feels like the things that happen now will happen again. Won will fall to San and try to pursue her and Princess Wonsung will still be going against San and Rin.

or

San can fall for Won and now we have Won and San delves in forbidden-like romance unknowingly.

I didn't care for this show at first because Won was so pushy and immature. It has grown on me as he grew up and matured through the series. The writing is good; non-stop storytelling - kudos to the whole cast and crew.
However, I can't hope but wonder if both the king and queen are being slowly poisoned. The king is being poisoned by that snake who is always by his side. But who is poisoning the queen? Wasn't there a mention of some medication she is taking. "If you take too much it will become ineffective" or something like that?
Overall this has become riveting to me and I'm totally onboard the Rin/San ship. Sorry Won - you deserve Dan because she loves you so much!
And the queen - she is amazing!

I think it will be better if I am neutral now .. ship wars in soompi is worse than here T.T I am in team #wonsanrindan now... my ship is still there (wonsan) ....But it would be better to enjoy the story than ship war..
I am sad in DB what we're watching someone said their acting are meh?really? I think siwan, yoon-ah and HJH are very far from meh... poor them T.T

what if rin san ends up together in goryeo and won san in modern era bhahaha my winwin solution LMAO XD

I love it when won saw san for a moment with a worried look before he shouts again to the guards... I can feel his love towards her from his eyes...

Did you guys remembered the rooftop scene where San's got jealous over Rin's remark that he knew some of the Queen's maids by saying " you know lots of the palace maids " with that jelly expression..kyaa haha

I wonder what is Rin's thought when Won's told him that San has someone else in her mind? Did he knew it was him or become bothered and curious who is it? The scene where he practice his sword alone, looks like he was bothered by something, I guess it must be about how to protect his friendship with Won and how to save San orrrrrrrr, because "San's heart belong to someone else" ??? Kyaaaaa sorry me just too in love with RinSan..every moments of them is very precious..>.<

The moment when Rin looking back at San when he held her waist to stop her from falling from the rooftop, and the flashback scene he was also looking her like that too, make it looks like he was longing her so much but only can watching her from behind..Omo I'm crying for Rin..

At first I think that Rin might be liking Won because he seems jealous or not happy when San catch Won's attention more..(to be honest I felt creepy that time, I can't accept this kind of bromance in the meaning men loves men,euu)..Even after Rin begin to having suspicious over Sohwa and minister of finance's relationship, he kinda treat So hwa coldly and even tried to stop her from keep being around him and Won, so I didn't that like him much either but after he knew So hwa's identity and her sufferings, he begin to really looking into her and find himself attached to her which I believe he might be just like Won, already liking her since their 1st meeting 7 years ago in San's mansion and the second meeting on Mount Duta, it just that he has not realised yet as his priority was and only Won..

Now I just hope to see Rin would be more honest about his feelings to San, but I also do want to see WonSan moment too(not the usual bickering part but romance part)..what should i do?? Afterall i was and still Wonsan shipper from the beginning..it just that I got moved by RinSan so now me is both Wonsan and Rinsan shipper..haha

Btw are we allowed to discuss the teaser at the end of ep 20? I guess no ya? I'm waiting for Monday to come soon even though I hate Monday, the start of weekdays, lol..

"Jang Eui and Jin Gwan are at the top of my list" - Ahhhhhh, no. Such a horrifying thought never even crossed my mind and now that it has, I'm scared.

Random, but I will still have moments when Won is talking when "no one" is around and I'll be convinced he's just talking to himself like every other drama character does...until one of them appears and nods their head. Then I feel silly, hehe. I love those moments between them.

I have a hard time picking my favorite scene this episode, between San and the Queen's confrontation and Won and Rin's!! Both were just too good. One for being a moment that played out in a way I never anticipated and the other for playing out even better than I could have anticipated! I love when interactions between characters that could very easily be at odds with each other, are instead tinged with a surprising amount of understanding and sincerity. That's precisely what we got with San and the Queen and I love it.

This cliffhanger was such a powerful culmination to all our growing conflicts. Won!!! Loving all the comments on him already. He has actually surprised me with his ability to continue to believe in a very fundamental truth - that no matter how his friends betray him on the surface, he can always trust that they must have had their circumstances. That betrayal - for them- is not something done lightly, with no stakes. He is so quick to move past whatever chasms that form between them.

Also, even though it didn't work out perfectly, I love San and her father for putting in all their best, most clever efforts to hinder Song In's plan for them. Seeing them make him sweat for once caused me a lot of joy and I can't wait for when they take him down for good.

Thanks for the recap!

I find a lot of these story lines unconvincing. It's a problem in Kdrama that convetion/tradition determins tropes are used and its maddening. Someone on a Chinese website praising The King's Woman, said how they cannot stand kdramas any longer because the women portayed are always behaving with such bad manners and talking with their mouths full, and of course drinking to great excess: when Koreans have so much censorship, why don't they have any qualms about showing themselves, especially their women in such bad light?
A little bit of my love for this drama died this episode and the closing preview dismayed. One consolation is The King's Woman has furnished a fitting end for Song In and Wang Jeon et al - lingering death bu dismemberment over 100 days. I liked Im Yoon-A in the General And I, it helped her improve.