The King Affection: Park Eun-bin Disguised as a King Is the Historical Romance You Need

When the Crown Princess gives birth to twins — a boy and a girl — in Joseon-era Korea, the girl is sent away to save her life, as twins were considered an ill omen. Years later, the Crown Prince is killed in a palace coup, and his twin sister Dam-i is forced to assume his identity, living every moment in fear of discovery. As she navigates the treacherous waters of royal politics, she finds herself drawn to her royal tutor Jung Ji-woon — who has no idea the Crown Prince he serves is actually a woman.

A Secret That Could Destroy a Kingdom

The King Affection is historical romance at its finest: lush, sweeping, and anchored by a central performance so compelling that it earned Korea first-ever International Emmy for a television series.

Park Eun-bin Makes History

Before Extraordinary Attorney Woo made her a global star, Park Eun-bin delivered this extraordinary performance as Lee Hwi, a woman who has spent her entire life pretending to be someone else. The physical transformation alone is remarkable — her lowered voice, her masculine gait, the careful way she holds herself to avoid detection — but it is the emotional complexity that makes the performance unforgettable.

Rowoon as Jung Ji-woon provides the perfect counterpart — warm, intelligent, and increasingly confused by his growing feelings for someone he believes is male. The drama handles his journey of self-discovery with sensitivity, never treating his confusion as a joke but as a genuine exploration of love that transcends gender.

An International Emmy Winner

When The King Affection won the International Emmy for Best Telenovela in 2022, it marked a watershed moment for Korean television on the global stage. The award recognized not just the drama technical excellence but its universal themes of identity, acceptance, and the courage to be oneself in a world that demands conformity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does The King Affection have a happy ending?

Without spoiling specifics, The King Affection delivers a satisfying and emotionally resonant conclusion that honors the journey of its characters and the sacrifices they have made.