4 Reasons Behind Lee In's Madness In "Captivating The King"

Lee In changed immensely since the start of "Captivating The King". Let's take a look at some of the reasons behind his madness and transformed behavior.

Dyllan Mykel, Kpopmap Editor
2 min to read · Published : Feb 18, 2024

4 Reasons Behind Lee In's Madness In "Captivating The King"

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Ever since its premiere, "Captivating The King" has been living up to its name, causing viewers to excitedly return week after week. Led by talented veterans in Cho JungSeok and Shin SaeKyeong, the historical drama is a mixture of political turmoil, heartfelt longing, and a plot for revenge.

"Captivating The King" dives into the life of Lee In (Cho JungSeok) as he ascends the throne to become king and meets Kang HeeSoo (Shin SaeKyeong) in the process. At first, he meets HeeSoo under the disguise as a gifted and unknown baduk player. Their lives become intertwined, yet twisted, and the two are forced to make a myriad of difficult decisions.

Both characters have gone through incredible changes since the start of the drama. In the case of Lee In, his originally amicable and heartwarming demeanor is tinged in severe madness that has everyone on edge.

With that being said, let's take a look at some of the reasons behind Lee In's change in personality.

1. Pressures Of Being A King

As King, Lee In has a mountain of duties and subjects he must tend to. From ensuring the country doesn't devolve into war or hearing the pleas of the people, there's a lot on Lee In's plate. While he handles the role as king incredibly well, it is not without cracks in his shell. Lee In's moves are closely monitored and one small misstep will cause an uproar among the people.

2. Loss Of His Brother

Prior to becoming the King, Lee In was a devoted and loyal subject of his brother, King Lee Sun (Choi DaeHoon). However, after being taken hostage by the Qing and gaining some of their favor, his brother's demeanor changes. Sun becomes wary and distrustful of In, causing their relationship to be on the constant verge of crumbling.

Then, with the sudden loss of his brother, In must take on the mantle of King and lead the people. Although much time had passed since, he still carries the weight of his brother's death on his shoulders. Grief overwhelms him and adds to Lee In's madness.

3. Royal Power Struggle

It would not be a historical K-Drama without an internal power struggle within the monarch. Although to be expected, because of his enemies, Lee In has lost a great number of people. From poisoning to nighttime assassinations, every move must be made with caution, lest a character falls victim to a trap.

This power struggle has caused Lee In to transform into his late brother, untrusting and constantly doubting everyone's motives. He knows that it's quite possible someone may stab him in the back and he must be ever vigilant to prevent that from happening.

4. The Effect Of Kang MongWoo

For a good portion of "Captivating The King", Lee In knows Kang HeeSoo as Kang MongWoo. Prior to ascending the throne, they became connected through baduk and reveled in each other's company. They offered much needed solace and strength to help them cope through their every day struggles.

However, tragedy strikes when MongWoo is convincted and Lee In is forced to punish them. After their supposed death, the King goes into a downward spiral, yearning for the companionship and warmth he felt once more. Even when MongWoo does reappear in his life, he must keep them at an arm's distance and remain suspicious of their true intentions.

What do you think about Lee In's dive into madness? Have you been enjoying "Captivating The King" so far?