# The King's Affection (2021)

> After the crown prince's death, his twin sister takes the throne while secretly guarding her identity and her first love.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/107134

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 20
- Episode runtime: 70 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: drama, romance
- Created by: Han Hee-jung
- Network: KBS2
- Cast: Park Eun-bin, Rowoon, Nam Yoon-su, Bae Yoon-kyung, Choi Byung-chan, Lee Pil-mo, Baek Hyun-joo, Ko Kyu-pil
- TMDB rating: 8.0/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14609428/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: moderate
- Complexity: layered
- Violence: mild
- Tone: wistful, tense, romantic, melancholic, emotionally charged

## What critics say

Audiences rated the drama positively, praising its romance and lead performances while the sprawling royal intrigue draws mixed reactions.

## Synopsis

The King's Affection (2021) is a South Korean historical romance series from KBS2, set in the Joseon dynasty and shaped by the conventions of the k-drama tradition. Park Eun-bin plays Lee Hwi, a princess who must step into the throne after her crown prince brother's death, and Rowoon plays Jung Ji-woon, the first love whose bond with her must stay hidden inside a rigid royal court. Nam Yoon-su and Bae Yoon-kyung round out the cast as figures tied to the palace power struggle. The engine of the series is a constant balancing act: the heroine must rule convincingly while protecting her secret and the affection that could expose her. Court intrigue, tense audience scenes and quieter private moments alternate across one continuing story. Palace halls, court etiquette and factional politics shape every choice. The tone is wistful and emotionally charged, mixing romantic longing with dread about discovery. Viewers who enjoy Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo or Mr. Sunshine will find the same palace romance, gender disguise and aching distance between two people who cannot openly love each other.

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