“Charming the King” is a Korean drama collection streaming on Netflix. It was launched in 2024, with episodes, categorized as Historic (loaded with political intrigue), and Romance.
♦ HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
“Charming the King” is loosely primarily based on the historic occasions concerning the time when Joseon was “between” the Qing and the Ming. Within the historical past of Korea (previously referred to as Joseon), the date of the Manchu Victory is 1636. With this victory, the Qing defeated the Ming and the Emperor pressured Joseon right into a tributary relationship with the Empire. Joseon was additionally pressured to chop ties with the Ming. Throughout the Qing invasion of Joseon (referred to as ‘Byeongja Horan’), the crown prince and his youthful brother had been taken as hostages however later returned.
♦ The Grand Prince is Taken Hostage
In “Charming the King”, Grand Prince Jinhan (performed by Cho Jung-Seok) is the youthful brother of the king of Joseon. Whereas standing on a battlefield, in pouring rain, he receives a Jeongyo (Royal Command). The king has commanded him to cease recruiting males to struggle and return house as a result of he has surrendered to the Qing.
When the grand prince arrives on the palace the king informs him that the Qing will maintain him hostage, to make sure Joseon’s allegiance to the Empire. The king tells him to outlive his captivity in any respect prices. When the king and the prince parted, they referred to as one another “brother” to indicate that their relationship was nearer than that of a topic to his king who was following orders.
In the meantime, the grand prince has not even left for Qing and the queen’s household is plotting how they will achieve political energy and management the king. All of the queen must do is bear the king a son who will grow to be inheritor to the throne. Secretly the queen’s household hopes the grand prince dies in captivity.
The storyline for “Charming the King” is rife with treachery and deceit, betrayal, psychological manipulation, and the entire instruments power-mongers use to take management and fulfill their greed and lust.
♦ The Grand Prince Returns However He’s Not Welcomed
The storyline for “Charming the King” additionally has characters who’re clever, quick-witted, and know the way to outsmart and defeat “the enemy inside”. The enemy inside Joseon was worse than the Qing or different overseas powers.
The grand prince was afraid of being taken hostage, however he additionally wished to know the way the Qing, which was as soon as a small group of individuals rose to grow to be a fantastic energy. His need to be taught their secret is larger than his concern. Grand Prince Jinhan did as his brother instructed him and he did survive. Prince Rui, the emperor’s favourite brother, favored the grand prince very a lot they usually usually performed baduk (See FUN FACTS beneath).
The grand prince realized the worth of enjoying baduk as a result of it was a recreation that helped the participant develop a army technique to defeat his enemy. His relationship with the Chinese language prince helped easy out relations between Joseon and Qing. Finally, he was allowed to return house.
However when the grand prince returns to the palace, he’s not greeted with a heat welcome by his brother, the king. Sure court docket officers (which included the queen’s relations) had satisfied the king to view the grand prince with suspicion and painted him as a spy for Qing. It was all lies however while you’re a power-monger, mendacity is your favourite instrument in your instrument equipment.
Even with out the lies, the king had been threatened that if one thing ought to occur to him, the Qing would place the grand prince on the throne. This menace was already within the king’s thoughts and he was afraid that the grand prince had ambition. Nevertheless, the grand prince didn’t covet the throne.
When the grand prince was lastly allowed to satisfy with the king privately, the brother he had left behind was not the identical individual he was now dealing with. He knew that one thing dreadful had occurred to the king whereas he was being held hostage in Qing. The king had grow to be weak, each bodily and mentally. He suspected everybody, particularly the grand prince.
By the point the grand prince had returned, the queen had born a son and all of her household’s efforts had been getting used to make him the crown prince and finally the king. They weren’t completely satisfied that the grand prince had returned. They started circulating vicious rumors to show the folks towards him.
The grand prince was conscious of the rumors, so he determined to fake to be a rake, i.e. a person with no ambition, who visited courtesan homes and drank loads. Maybe then the king wouldn’t really feel that he was a menace to the throne.
♦ The Grand Prince Meets the Baduk Gambler
In the future the grand prince was out and about and got here throughout a bunch of individuals enjoying baduk. He puzzled if he may get into the sport. That’s how he met the baduk gambler.
The gambler didn’t solely catch his consideration as a result of he performed his favourite recreation but additionally as a result of the gambler spoke up and defended the grand prince. The gambler mentioned the grand prince did what was essential to survive and keep alive in an enemy land. Not solely did he defend himself however he defended those that had been taken captive with him when he left Joseon.
The grand prince was stunned to see somebody who was not swayed by false rumors and gossip. Nevertheless, when he requested for the title, all of the gamers instructed him they didn’t know the gambler’s title. Plainly the gambler would solely reveal his title IF somebody gained the sport. However to this point no person gained and so no person knew his title.
The grand prince discovered a option to meet with the baduk gambler at a courtesan home and play a recreation. He hoped to win and be taught the true identification of the baduk gambler. Additionally, he hoped that maybe he may make a real pal. Ever since returning to Joseon, true pals had been so very laborious to search out.
The story of the prince and the gambler begins to unfold.
Essential Characters:
The place to Watch
Score:
- IMDb: 8.1 out of 10 stars
- My Drama Checklist: 8 out of 10 stars
My private ranking is 9 out of 10 stars. Shin Se-Kyung is one in all my favourite South Korean actresses and she or he shines when she is solid in a historic Korean drama. Additionally, the script is effectively written. The primary episode instantly hooks the viewer. Whatever the rumors, you might be already within the grand prince’s nook, cheering him on.
LINKS OF INTEREST:
FUN FACTS:
Baduk (also referred to as Go) was a recreation invented in China, however it grew to become well-liked in Korea and Japan. In Asian cultures, it appears to be most well-liked over chess. Curiously sufficient, the origin of the sport of chess is unsure. It’s believed that it developed from a recreation in India referred to as chaturanga (600 AD).
By the sixteenth century, chess had unfold over Asia and Europe. Ruy Lopez, a Spanish priest, is credited with being one of many first masters of the sport. At current, the sport Baduk or Go is rising in recognition all through Europe and America.
TRAILERS/TEASERS:
Netflix Ok-Content material. “Charming the King | Official Trailer | Netflix [ENG SUB].” YouTube Video. YouTube, January 9, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1t7mqiqtkk.
