Captivating the King

Captivating the King
Promotional poster
Also known asSejak[1]
Hangul
세작, 매혹된 자들
Hanja
細作, 魅惑된 子들
Literal meaningSpy, the Fascinated
Revised RomanizationSejak, maehokdoen jadeul
Genre
Developed byStudio Dragon (planning)[3]
Written byKim Seon-deok[4]
Directed byCho Nam-guk[4]
Starring
Music byPark Se-joon[5]
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes16
Production
Executive producers
  • Kwon Byung-wook[5]
  • Kim Seok-won[5]
  • Cho So-yeon[5]
Producers
  • Park Chang-joo[5]
  • Kim Na-kyung[5]
  • Kang Ha-yeon[5]
Cinematography
  • Kim Seung-ho[5]
  • Joo Sung-min[5]
  • Cha Young-hu[5]
Editors
  • Oh Sang-hwan[5]
  • Bang Soo-yeon[5]
Running time70 minutes[6]
Production companyC-JeS Studios[7]
Original release
NetworktvN
ReleaseJanuary 21 (2024-01-21) –
March 3, 2024 (2024-03-03)

Captivating the King (Korean: 세작, 매혹된 자들) is a 2024 South Korean television series starring Jo Jung-suk, Shin Se-kyung, and Lee Shin-young. It aired on tvN from January 21, to March 3, 2024, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 (KST).[8][9] It is also available for streaming on TVING in South Korea, and on Netflix in selected regions.[10]

Synopsis

The series depicts the cruel love story of Yi In (Jo Jung-suk), a miserable king who has no one around him that he can trust and is in danger of both royal and political power struggles, and Kang Hee-soo (Shin Se-kyung), who tries to deceive him for revenge but ends up falling in love with him.[7][11]

Cast and characters

Main

King of Joseon who is a baduk genius.[13]
  1. Kang Hee-soo[2]
A woman who disguises herself as a man and becomes a spy to take revenge.
  1. Kang Mong-woo: a genius baduk player who later becomes Yi In's close friend.[3]
A nobleman who is good at both archery and swordsmanship.

Supporting

Important characters

Yi In's older brother.
  • Lee Gyu-hoe as Park Jong-hwan[13]
Royal Queen Dowager Park's older brother.
an assistant section chief of the Ministry of Rites who will do anything for the sake of wealth and fame.[13]
Kim Myung-ha's father who is the minister of military affairs.
Kang Hee-soo's father and Yi In's teacher who is the Chief State Councillor.

Yi In's people

Yi In's royal guard.
Yi In's lady-in-waiting who is surrounded by secrets.
  • TBA as Ji Nam-gyu[13]
A physician at naeuiwon.

Kang Hee-soo's people

  • Na Hyun-woo as Chu Dal-ha[19]
Kang Hee-soo's assistant who is a former military officer.
  • Song Sang-eun as Ja Geun-nyeon[13]
Kang Hee-soo's friend and servant.
  • Han Dong-hee as Hong-jang[20]
Kang Hee-soo's friend and Yoo Hyun-bo's sister who is a courtesan.
  • Jung Seok-yong as Se-dong[21]
A spy who has pure and upright personality.
Se-dong's wife who is a spy.
An assistant court lady and a spy.
  • Lee Yoon-hee as Kim Je-nam[13]
Kang Hang-sun's old friend who is a former high-ranking local government official.

Royal family

Yi In's biological mother.
  • Ahn Se-eun as Royal Princess Jangryeong[13]
Eldest daughter of the late king Yi Seon and Yi In's niece.
  • Hong Jun-woo as Grand Prince Moonseong[23]
son of the late king Yi Seon and Yi In's nephew.[13]
  • Ha Seo-yoon as Queen Oh[24]
Yi In's wife.
Royal Queen Dowager Park's lady-in-waiting.

Members of the court

Queen Oh's father.
  • Baek Seok-gwang as Min Ji-hwan[26]
Park Jong-hwan's right-hand man.
  • Kim Seo-ha as Min Sang-hyo[27]
Kim Myung-ha's friend and Min Ji-hwan's younger brother.
  • Jo Jae-ryong as Jung Je-pyo[28]
A Qing Dynasty official who serves as an interpreter.

Extended

Yi Seon's wife.[3]

Special appearance

  • Song Ji-woo as a courtesan[30]

Production

Filming of the series began in March 2023.[31]

Original soundtrack

Part 1

Released on January 21, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Daydreaming" (꿈이라도 좋을 꿈)Kinsha
  • AllThou
  • Kim Su-hyun
  • Park Hyun-seo
  • Flora
  • Oneway
Shin Ji-hoon3:19
2."Daydreaming" (꿈이라도 좋을 꿈; Inst.) 
  • AllThou
  • Kim Su-hyun
  • Park Hyun-seo
  • Flora
  • Oneway
 3:19
Total length:6:38

Part 2

Released on January 28, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Drizzle" (가랑비(濛雨))
  • Lee Ga-yoon
  • Park Seung-ju
  • Park Seung-ju
  • SteroeHz
  • Lee Ga-yoon
Kwon Jin-ah4:00
2."Drizzle" (가랑비(濛雨); Inst.) 
  • Park Seung-ju
  • SteroeHz
  • Lee Ga-yoon
 4:00
Total length:8:00

Part 3

Released on February 4, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Wave" (파랑(波浪))
  • Kapoo
  • Sean Kimm
  • M2U
  • Kapoo
  • Sean Kimm
Taeil (NCT)3:34
2."Wave" (파랑(波浪); Inst.) 
  • M2U
  • Kapoo
  • Sean Kimm
 3:34
Total length:7:08

Part 4

Released on February 18, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Peach Tree" (그대라는 꽃잎)Dinner Coat
  • Dinner Coat
  • Yu Jeong-hyeon
Roy Kim3:44
2."Peach Tree" (그대라는 꽃잎; Inst.) 
  • Dinner Coat
  • Yu Jeong-hyeon
 3:44
Total length:7:28

Viewership

Captivating the King : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
SeasonEpisode number
12345678910111213141516
10.9760.6410.7041.284N/A1.2120.9031.1201.6231.6610.9821.3211.0991.4971.2131.810
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[32]
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)[32][33]
Nationwide Seoul
1 January 21, 2024[34][35] 3.977% (2nd) 4.077% (2nd)
2 3.089% (3rd) 3.224% (3rd)
3 January 27, 2024 3.286% (1st) 3.550% (1st)
4 January 28, 2024 6.016% (1st) 5.968% (2nd)
5 February 3, 2024 3.868% (4th) N/A
6 February 4, 2024 5.461% (1st) 5.350% (1st)
7 February 9, 2024[36] 4.162% (1st) 4.573% (1st)
8 February 10, 2024[36] 4.733% (1st) 4.863% (1st)
9 February 11, 2024[36] 6.369% (2nd) 6.290% (2nd)
10 6.703% (1st) 6.792% (1st)
11 February 17, 2024 4.100% (1st) 4.240% (1st)
12 February 18, 2024 5.938% (1st) 5.837% (2nd)
13 February 24, 2024 4.942% (1st) 5.272% (1st)
14 February 25, 2024 6.675% (1st) 7.082% (1st)
15 March 2, 2024 5.609% (1st) 6.030% (1st)
16 March 3, 2024 7.763% (1st) 7.915% (1st)
Average 5.609% —[a]
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • This series aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS).

Notes

  1. ^ Due to multiple unpublished ratings, the exact average rating is unknown.

References

  1. ^ "Sejak [Title in the URL]". tvN (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Hwang Yeon-do (November 1, 2023). 신세경, 조정석과 사극 로맨스… 남장여자 연기 도전. At Star 1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Naver.
  3. ^ a b c d e Park So-young (November 29, 2023). 신세경 만난 조정석 "나만 잘하면 되겠구나" ('세작, 매혹된 자들'). OSEN [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023 – via Naver.
  4. ^ a b c d Hwang Hye-jin (November 1, 2023). 신세경, 남장여자 도전…조정석과 '세작, 매혹된 자들' 출연[공식]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Naver.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Captivating the King. Episode 1 (in Korean). January 21, 2024. tvN.
  6. ^ "Captivating the King (2024)". CJ ENM. Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Moon Wan-sik (May 31, 2022). '이브'·'링크' 씨제스 드라마 사업부 하반기 라인업 공개 '기대UP'. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Naver.
  8. ^ "Cho Jung-seok and Shin Se-kyung in "Sejak"". HanCinema. Newsis. November 1, 2023. Archived from the original on November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  9. ^ Kim Ga-young (December 6, 2023). 조정석·신세경 '세작', 1월 21일 첫방…웰메이드 사극 예고. Edaily [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023 – via Naver.
  10. ^ Hong, Ji-hoon (January 21, 2024). '세작, 매혹된 자들', 조선시대 배경 등장 인물 관계도 본격 전개…OTT 재방송 다시보기 넷플릭스·티빙 ['Saejak, The Fascinated', Joseon Dynasty Setting, Character Relationships Develop in Full Swing...OTT Rebroadcast and Replay on Netflix and TVING] (in Korean). BizEnter. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024 – via Nate.
  11. ^ "Cho Jung-seok, Shin Se-kyung Expected to Show On-Screen Rapport in Historical Romance". The Chosun Ilbo. November 4, 2023. Archived from the original on November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  12. ^ Yoo Su-yeon (January 19, 2024). 조정석, 신세경 흑기사로 등판...토끼 눈 '설렘 폭발' ('세작'). OSEN [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 프로그램 소개 – 인물소개 [Program Introduction – Character Introduction]. tvN (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  14. ^ Kim Ha-young (December 18, 2023). 조정석, 임금으로 보이는가 (세작). Sports KyunghyangU007CpaperU007Clanguage=ko. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023 – via Naver.
  15. ^ Choi Hee-jae (November 3, 2023). 양경원, 조정석·신세경과 대치...'세작'서 빌런 변신. Edaily [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Naver.
  16. ^ Lee Chang-gyu (December 5, 2023). 조성하, '세작, 매혹된 자들' 출연...조정석X신세경과 호흡 [공식입장]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023 – via Naver.
  17. ^ Ahn Byung-gil (January 19, 2024). 강홍석 '세작' 조정석 호위무관 출연. Sports KyunghyangU007CpaperU007Clanguage=ko. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2024 – via Naver.
  18. ^ a b Jin Byung-hoon (January 20, 2024). '마에스트라' 후속 '세작 매혹된 자들' 인물관계도 및 몇부작?. NBN TV (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  19. ^ Son Bong-seok (November 3, 2023). 신예 나현우, '세작, 매혹된 자들' 추달하 역···신세경 조력자로 활약. Sports KyunghyangU007CpaperU007Clanguage=ko. Archived from the original on November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Naver.
  20. ^ Tae Yu-na (December 8, 2023). 유연석 첫사랑→신세경 친구, 한동희 안방극장 열일 행보. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023 – via Naver.
  21. ^ Jang Da-hee (January 17, 2024). 정석용 '세작, 매혹된 자들' 출연...신세경·손현주와 호흡[공식]. MBC Entertainment (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024 – via Naver.
  22. ^ Lee Chang-gyu (January 16, 2024). 김보윤, '세작' 색장나인 분영 役 합류...신세경과 호흡. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024 – via Naver.
  23. ^ Ahn Byung-gil (January 29, 2024). '세작' 조성하, 출연은 4회···존재감은 그 이상. Sports KyunghyangU007CpaperU007Clanguage=ko. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Naver.
  24. ^ Kim Ha-young (December 11, 2023). 하서윤, 조정석의 중전 된다 (세작). Sports KyunghyangU007CpaperU007Clanguage=ko. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023 – via Naver.
  25. ^ Jang Soo-jeong (January 15, 2024). 엄효섭, '세작, 매혹된 자들' 합류...중전 오씨 父된다. Dailian [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024 – via Naver.
  26. ^ Kim Na-yeon (January 10, 2024). 백석광, '세작, 매혹된 자들' 출연...조정석과 호흡[공식] [Baek Seok-gwang appears in 'Sejak, the Fascinated'... Breathing with Jo Jung-suk [Official]]. Sports KyunghyangU007CpaperU007Clanguage=ko. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024 – via Naver.
  27. ^ Jang A-reum (January 15, 2024). 김서하 '세작' 캐스팅...'연모' 이어 두번째 사극 도전. News 1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024 – via Naver.
  28. ^ Lim Chae-ryung (January 21, 2024). '세작, 매혹된 자들' 조재룡, 조정석 비아냥..."무능한 조정으로 백성이 고생". Herald PopU007CpaperU007Clanguage=ko. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024 – via Naver.
  29. ^ 프로그램 소개 – 인물관계도 [Program Introduction – Character Relationship Chart]. tvN (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  30. ^ Kim Su-jin (January 19, 2024). 송지우, tvN '세작, 매혹된 자들' 특별출연..조정석과 호흡 [공식]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024 – via Naver.
  31. ^ Yang Hyung-seok (October 3, 2023). 영화 시작 후 57분 만에 등장해 관객 사로잡은 명장면. OhmyNews (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023 – via Naver.
  32. ^ a b Nielsen Korea ratings:
    • "Ep. 1–2". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). January 21, 2024. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
    • "Ep. 3". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). January 27, 2024. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
    • "Ep. 4". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). January 28, 2024. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
    • "Ep. 6". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 4, 2024. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
    • "Ep. 7". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 9, 2024. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
    • "Ep. 8". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 10, 2024. Archived from the original on February 10, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
    • "Ep. 9–10". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 10, 2024. Archived from the original on February 10, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
    • "Ep. 11". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 17, 2024. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
    • "Ep. 12". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 18, 2024. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
    • "Ep. 13". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 24, 2024. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
    • "Ep. 14". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). February 25, 2024. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
    • "Ep. 15". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 2, 2024. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
    • "Ep. 16". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 3, 2024. Archived from the original on March 3, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  33. ^ 세작, 매혹된 자들 시청률 [Captivating, the King ratings] (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. Retrieved February 4, 2024 – via Daum.
  34. ^ Shin Young-eun (January 22, 2024). 조정석, 사극도 로맨스도 '연기의 정석' [MK스타]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024 – via Naver.
  35. ^ Kang Da-yoon (January 22, 2024). '세작' 조정석X신세경, 모두가 기다린 '케미'…첫방부터 강렬한 매혹 [종합]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024 – via Naver.
  36. ^ a b c Hwang Hye-jin (February 7, 2024). '고려거란전쟁' 설연휴 결방→머리쓴 '세작' 금토일 4회 파격 편성 통할까 [Will the 'Goryeo War' be canceled on Lunar New Year's Day → Worn-out 'Sejak' be organized four times on Friday, Saturday and Sunday] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.