The King's Affection

When the crown prince dies, his identical twin sister takes his place on the throne to preserve the dynasty and protect her family. She lives as a young king, concealing her sex from courtiers and emissaries while running a court that bristles with intrigue. Away from public eyes she still carries a secret affection for a childhood love, and managing that private longing under the weight of royal duty raises stakes at every turn. Surrounded by cautious allies and hidden enemies, she learns to steer policy, read people, and use her disguise to survive. Her dual role forces careful choices about justice, mercy, and appearance, guarding that secret complicates ties with nobles, scholars, and the soldier who carries her trust.

The King's Affection aired in 2021, directed by Song Hyun-wook and created by Han Hee-jung, with Park Eun-bin, Rowoon and Nam Yoon-su leading a strong ensemble. The production favors measured period detail and restrained, character-driven staging across its episodes.

The series earned attention during award season in South Korea, especially for Park Eun-bin's layered performance, and received several mentions from television critics. Supporting actors and the costume and art teams also drew notice in year-end roundups, and critics noted its central romance, widely discussed.

Its gender-bending premise and a female lead playing a monarch sparked conversations about gender roles in historical dramas, and the show built an enthusiastic international following through streaming and social media discussion. Fans created artwork and character analyses online. Subtitled clips helped it reach viewers beyond Korea.

Audience ratings and reviews leaned positive, reflected in an 8.167/10 user score from 290 votes. Critics praised Park Eun-bin and the leads, and conversations centered on identity, duty, romantic tension, and the moral cost of power. Viewers singled out the chemistry between the leads and the show's deliberate pacing.