Mistaken bromantic love and deceptive princes in The King Loves

36 July 14, 2017July 1, 2021

Mistaken bromantic love and deceptive princes in The King Loves

by tineybeanie

Goryeo love triangle drama The King Loves has released more promos: posters, stills, and a teaser, oh my! This novel-based romance drama tells the story of an intense friendship that devolves into an even fiercer rivalry between two men of royal blood, the half-Mongolian crown prince Wang Won played by Im Shi-wan (Misaeng) and his pureblood relative Wang Rin played by Hong Jong-hyun (Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo). The woman who stands between them is Eun San, the daughter of the richest man in Goryeo, played by Yoon-ah (The K2).

The latest posters introduce each character’s inner thoughts. The Janus-faced Crown Prince Wang Won thinks: “He was the only friend and she was the only woman in my life.” From that it seems there’s a possibility that he thinks he’s been betrayed by both. So when Eun San’s poster says: “Now I know. Why my heart fluttered and hurt at times…” is she referring to Wang Won or Wang Rin? Perhaps she’s caught in between and Wang Rin doesn’t understand because the copy on his poster reads: “How can a heart stop in the middle?”

Despite his sometimes one-note expressions, I’ve had a soft spot for Hong Jong-hyun since Mama: Nothing to Fear and Her Lovely Heels. So I’m hoping his role in The King Loves as Im Shi-wan’s best friend and a royal who is “the embodiment of crane-like elegance” will help him break through his past acting weaknesses. Park Hwan-hee (Jealousy Incarnate) will play his one and only precious younger sister, pictured below.

The stills of Im Shi-wan and Yoon-ah look serious, but the teaser is definitely lighter in tone. It starts off with Eun San blaming Wang Won for her pack of food falling over into the never-ending abyss. He quips back, telling her it’s definitely her fault, but in frustration, he asks her how much it was because he’d rather pay than have to deal more with her. Eun San tuts at his demand, asking: “Is that your money or your parents’ money? You should be ashamed of yourself…”

Then the copy “Flower Prince Wang Won” flashes onscreen next to Im Shi-wan’s smiling face. He doesn’t seem to have a high opinion of Eun San at all, telling her that she should be grateful that a great person such as he should even remember her. But she throws him to the ground easily and dismisses him as a pompous jerk. When the trio are together, Eun San sees how close the two boys are and she quirks an eyebrow and postulates: “Rather than friends, you guys are secretly…?” Her cackles can be heard in the background while her name is introduced as “Girl Crush Eun San.”

Then we get to hear Wang Rin for the first time in the teaser as Yoon-ah balances on a rickety wooden rain: “I won’t hold you back. I’ll be supportive.” But when she falls, he’s a step too late and it’s Wang Won who holds her hand steady. Eun San looks carefully at Wang Rin’s face, asking in reply to his statement that he’ll support her: “You? But, how you look, how you act is exactly like…” and then the voiceover switches over to Im Shi-wan talking about gisaengs.

Although Wang Won tries to intimidate her with talk of these ladies, Eun San doesn’t back off. He asks why she’s there with them, and she starts replying: “Your crown prince…” but he interrupts by saying, “You know, he’s your crown prince too.” Finally the teaser closes on a conversation where Wang Rin asks the prince how long he’s going to hide his real identity from her, to which Wang Won cheekily answers, “Until the fun wears out.”

Ooh, I guess there’s going to be an identity swap then? Hopefully it’ll be better than the one in Ruler—Master of the Mask. MBC’s pre-produced Monday-Tuesday drama The King Loves will begin broadcasting on July 17.

Via Newsen

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1 Ajusshi

July 14, 2017 at 2:53 PM

Not saying much to be better than Ruler. I think it will be entertaining at least.

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2 Linda Palapala

July 14, 2017 at 2:53 PM

You have a soft spot for Hong Jong-hyun? He's the only reason I'm watching but I'm afraid since he's the 2nd male lead it's going to be tragic for him. Preparing myself...

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miselpo

July 15, 2017 at 4:08 AM

Please don't say that. I've had enough tragic with his best buddy Kim Young-kwang in the recently ended Lookout. And another buddy Kim Woo-bin who who is sick in real life. ?

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3 juniebug

July 14, 2017 at 2:58 PM

I haven't been too fond about YoonA's acting, but that's only based on what I saw in K2. I'm willing to give her another shot. I am, though, looking forward to seeing Im Shiwan and Hong Jonghyun in this drama. They all look amazing in the sageuk style clothing that I'm willing to watch just for that LOL Looking forward to see what this offers!

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LucyLo

July 14, 2017 at 3:09 PM

YoonA was the same in K2 as she was in everything else: bad. She reminds me of IU in the acting department - just mediocre. They should stick to their singing day jobs.

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juniebug

July 14, 2017 at 3:18 PM

Well then I'll have ISW and HJH to keep me sane when watching her scenes haha

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pogo

July 15, 2017 at 7:57 AM

IU isn't a mediocre actress, at least not based on what I saw of her in Producer. Scarlet Heart was a badly directed mess that managed to waste literally every one of its cast, that role sucking is on Kim Kyu-tae and the writer, not IU.

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Karigan

July 14, 2017 at 4:10 PM

Haha I'm the other way around! I rlly look forward to yoona, especially after the trailer, but I rlly don't think Shiwan suits his looks and I'm kinda meeeh about Jonghyuns acting. But yeah I'm looking forward to them growing on me :D! Hope it's gonna be a fun and heart wrenching trip <3

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Linda Palapala

July 14, 2017 at 4:15 PM

K2 was awful and her acting was a big part of that. Oh, dear.

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pogo

July 15, 2017 at 7:55 AM

I think Yoona isn't anything to write home about, but post-Love Rain, her acting isn't terrible - she's decent enough at playing lighter, lively parts.

Which is partly why K2 was so bad, she just didn't have the kind of screen presence or emoting abilities to pull off a role like that. Compare it to what Kim Ji-won or Chae Soo-bin would have done in such a role, and it's a definite downgrade. But as far as this drama goes, they could do worse. At least unlike some of her fellow idol actors, Yoona doesn't come off dead-eyed and vacant in acting roles.

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4 elvira

July 14, 2017 at 3:02 PM

Oh, Im Shiwan, be well on your military duty. Jang Geurae manseeeee!

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5 CatoCat

July 14, 2017 at 3:29 PM

All the cliches are there. And those 1 liners stolen from internet forums.Long preview shows tearful scenes but this show will be funny.

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6 dooleygongshil

July 14, 2017 at 5:51 PM

I totally expected Yoona to be holding a cellphone in her poster LOL. She's got that "but first lemme take a selfie" pose down. hahahaha

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7 WishfulToki

July 14, 2017 at 6:36 PM

Well, this is new: Cliff of Doom took my lunch. XD

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8 celine

July 14, 2017 at 7:07 PM

Hahahaha Me too! Her pose is very much like someone taking a selfie.

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9 m g

July 14, 2017 at 7:44 PM

this dramas visual is a killer tbh. looking forward to it!

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10 pompompim

July 14, 2017 at 8:02 PM

Wow who is that 2nd female lead?
She is so pretty

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frenchvanilla

July 14, 2017 at 8:15 PM

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miselpo

July 15, 2017 at 4:12 AM

you mean the one portrays Hong Jong-hyun' sister? That's Park Hwan-hee, she was in DOTS I believe and also in UF as Kim Woo-bin's ex in high school.

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11 frenchvanilla

July 14, 2017 at 8:18 PM

she is park hwan hee who have played a nurse in DOTS ^.^ she is so pretty

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12 xiao jingyan

July 14, 2017 at 9:28 PM

can I ask something??

I haven't really up to date with this drama, I only see the earlier news and for some reason, I was always under the impression that the mutual love story is between Yoona and Hong Jeong Hyun while Siwan is the one who has one sided love.

Is this still hold true or the plot about the mutual love is still unknown?

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Sera The Ms Temper

July 15, 2017 at 8:09 AM

Based on one comment I read before that I don't remember where I read it, Yoona will love both guys differently -kinda like Empress Ki with both male leads. But she will end up with one guy and keep the other guy in her heart since they can't be together.

This drama based on novel, so I'm not sure how far this drama will follow it. I read a comment said that based on novel, she is supposed to end up with Jong Hyun's character. Someone who read the novel can clarify on it.

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mmeuh

July 15, 2017 at 1:37 PM

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mmeuh

July 15, 2017 at 1:39 PM

*Warning: possible spoiler*
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I read about the novel and indeed Jong Hyun(Rin) and Yoona(San) were the otp and Shiwan(Won) while having feelings for both was jealous of them. The otp ended up tgether and Won only met Rin & San's kid years later. Won was like the anti hero male lead which was what makes it interesting for me.

But so far i feel they've changed quiet a bit and i'm not gonna be surprised if they change the otp/ending. just hopefully they won't completely butcher Jonghyun(Rin) character :\

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aghassi

August 1, 2017 at 4:38 PM

Hi! I am just wondering where can I find the actual novel itself? I've been wanting to read it. Could you please pass me some info about it? I would really appreciate it!

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13 fatcat007

July 14, 2017 at 10:18 PM

The teaser looks so light & fun. I'll give it a try.

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14 dramaDee

July 15, 2017 at 12:35 AM

Hong Jong-hyun looks fantastic here! I have a soft spot for Im shiwan since Miseng, he made me cry so hard as jang gue rae. Not a big fan of yoona but she sounds pretty good in the trailer...Fingers crossed the writer's magic works here.

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15 Ahj ❤ ❥ ♡ ♥ ღ

July 15, 2017 at 12:56 AM

Im Shiwan and Hong Jonghyun + Sageuk = count me in! ♥

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16 miselpo

July 15, 2017 at 4:18 AM

Okay I'm so ready to move on from Lookout or not :( well I'm excited for Hong Jong-hyun. Please let him get the girl, show. Yoona was enjoyable in The King and I so I'm rooting for her and Hong Jong-hyun. Im Shi-wan this will be my first drama of him so I hope he surprise me somehow.

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17 jheart

July 15, 2017 at 5:52 AM

Hoping this adaption will follow the novel rather than going to the lame typical love triangle route. I'll put my trust on Song Ji Na - writer of Healer which I really enjoy watching.
In the novel, San and Rin ends up with each other. And the one that San truly loves is Rin, not Won.
And Won in the novel is really dark and complex character. Im Si Wan will be fully able to portray it perfectly.
This drama could be really good or a big mess depending so much on the directing and the writing.

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aghassi

August 1, 2017 at 4:52 PM

Hi! would you mind directing me to the novel where this drama is based on? I've been searching everywhere but I could not find it! :( I would really appreciate it if you can help me! :D . Thank you in advance!

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18 transient

July 15, 2017 at 7:48 AM

MBC, stop the teasers and give us the drama already!

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19 hades

July 15, 2017 at 3:16 PM

I didn't think anything of Hong Jong-hyun in MLSHR. He was a good actor, sure, but he looks really handsome here. I'm a bit trepidatious about Yoon-ah making me dislike this drama. I really disliked her in The K2. I don't know if it was her character, her acting, or both. Regardless, it doesn't add to my desire to watch this show. I tend to choose my sagueks wisely, given how few I watch. I'll most likely give it the 1-2 episode benefit of the doubt.

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20 wackycashew

July 16, 2017 at 5:48 PM

Waiting for this to kick off tomorrow!

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21 Pearl

July 18, 2017 at 10:08 PM

Does anyone know where I could read the book in English? I've been looking and couldn't find it. The drama is 40 episodes long and I can't wait until then to find out what happens and who she ends up with tbh.

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22 wiggie

August 13, 2017 at 2:33 AM

Im Siwan is bae.

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The King Loves