The King's AffectionSeason 12021 · 20 episodesEpisodes1Episode 1Years after the crown princess delivers forbidden twins, Yi Hwi meets a court maid who looks exactly like him, to his amazement and his mother’s horror.2Episode 2Dam-i tearfully bears the weight of the crown in guise of her brother. Jung Ji-un races against time to find a herbal remedy for a peeved patient.3Episode 3Hwi spares Ji-un his life thinking they won't ever cross paths again. Later, she's startled to see him lurking inside the palace walls.4Episode 4Ji-un proves to be a formidable opponent for Hwi, who's determined to make her newest royal tutor resign. Yi Hyun takes Hwi out on the town.5Episode 5Ji-un's good-hearted attempt to make his pupil warm up to people in the palace goes awry. Prince Changun tests Hwi with an intoxicating surprise.6Episode 6A familiar book on the crown prince's desk baffles Ji-un. Running out of time and the means to save his friends, he asks Hwi for help.7Episode 7Hwi earns a chance to gain the king's trust during the Ming envoys' visit, but an ill-tempered guest tests the limits of her patience.8Episode 8Ji-un comforts a tearful Hwi in his arms. Hyun and Ji-un team up to figure out the envoy's secret after a suspicious man visits his quarters.9Episode 9The queen dowager tells the crown prince to wed. As Ji-un recalls previous night's events, he realizes the reason behind his rollercoaster of emotions.10Episode 10After a joyous day together, Hwi gives Ji-un her answer. Shin So-eun and No Ha-gyeong visit the palace as candidates to become the next crown princess.11Episode 11Hyun visits Ji-un at his new clinic. A furious Hwi holds Prince Changun accountable for his wrongdoing, and faces staggering backlash as a result.12Episode 12The king is asked to answer to overwhelming appeals for the crown prince's removal. Reentering the palace, Ji-un promises to protect Hwi no matter what.13Episode 13Hwi carefully reveals her secret to Ji-un. Lord Sangheon unleashes his royal ambitions and makes way for the future king.14Episode 14Hwi and Ha-gyeong spend their first night together. Reinstated into a palace operating around Lord Sangheon, Ji-un lies low to serve the wounded king.15Episode 15Moving in silence, Hwi strategizes retaliation against her grandfather. Kim Ga-on reappears in front of the king with a startling confession.16Episode 16Yoon Hyeong-seol sets out to find the damning ledger and keep his promise to the king. Prince Wonsan puts two and two together about Hwi's identity.17Episode 17Rumors about Hwi and Ji-un's close relationship circulate amongst the palace staff. To protect his son, Jung Seok-jo takes matters into his own hands.18Episode 18Hyun and Lord Sangheon learn of Prince Wonsan's secret ploy to dethrone the king. Hwi prepares to take down her grandfather — alone.19Episode 19Prince Wonsan ruthlessly proves his ambitions — and worthiness — for kingship to Lord Sangheon. Hwi prepares to abdicate the throne.20Episode 20Returning to the palace with a vengeance and an army, Lord Sangheon and Prince Wonsan spare no one in their bloody path to the crown.
