Check in Hanyang- Episodes 13-14
Betrayal, Power Plays & a Swoony Love Confession! 💔
As we inch closer to the grand finale, emotions are boiling over, alliances are shifting, and our beloved second lead is spiraling FAST. This week’s episodes gave us an OTP so tender it made our hearts burst, a shocking royal revelation, and one very drunk, very unhinged Jun-hwa—and honestly, we’re stressed. Let’s break it all down!
After that earth-shattering kiss, Deok-soo and Eun-ho finally lay their hearts bare. 🥹
👉 "Whether you are Hong Deok-soo, or Hong Jae-on—whoever you are, you are the only one I will hold in my heart."
🔥 SWOON. 🔥 Eun-ho has been down BAD for so long, and hearing him finally confess? Our hearts cannot take it! And Deok-soo feels the same way, mirroring his words. THE GROWTH! THE EMOTIONAL MATURITY! 😭
But just when things were getting soft and romantic, comedy strikes! Eun-ho valiantly stands guard outside while Deok-soo washes up… except he’s completely losing his mind trying to NOT think about it. 🤣 Then later, when she sleepily throws an arm around him, he panics like a flustered schoolboy—only for it to turn out that she’s just a restless sleeper.
Meanwhile, Eun-ho is neck-deep in political drama, as Minister Oh forces the king’s hand to speed up the crown prince appointment. He barely buys them time, but Deok-soo immediately senses something’s wrong and hands him some snacks to cheer him up. (GIRLFRIEND BEHAVIOR. 💖)
And just like that, a childhood memory resurfaces—leading to a huge breakthrough. The engraving on the key speaks of sharing happiness, and it all clicks:
🔑 The safe is buried in the hole where little Deok-soo used to hide her snacks. 😱
And even more heartbreaking? A flashback reveals that her father used to match whatever she put in—a silent reminder that he was always watching over her. 🥹 BRB, sobbing forever.
Deok-soo and Eun-ho finally retrieve the ledger—but as they scan through the familiar names of corrupt officials, one shocking name jumps out:
👉 Prince Lee Hyun-wi—the current king. 😨
Before they can escape with the evidence, they’re ambushed by the king’s swordsmen! Jun-hwa unexpectedly rushes in to fight alongside them, but ends up getting slashed while shielding Deok-soo. (Sir, we need you to get therapy instead of using yourself as a human shield, please. 😭)
Just when things seem hopeless, Eun-ho’s loyal bodyguard arrives—and drops a nuclear bomb of his own:
👉 "Bow before Prince Muyeong."
🔥 BOOM. THE SECRET’S OUT. 🔥
Eun-ho’s true identity as the king’s son is now public knowledge, and Deok-soo is visibly shaken. As for the king? He tries to justify his involvement in the late king’s poisoning, but when Eun-ho refuses to hand over the ledger, he turns ruthless. 😳
Realizing Deok-soo is now a target, Eun-ho sneaks out of royal house arrest (because of course he does) and tries to take the ledger from her—for her own safety.
👉 "STOP DECIDING FOR ME!"
YES, DEOK-SOO, TELL HIM. 🙌 I swear, if one more man tries to protect her without including her in the plan, I’m going to scream. 😤
Luckily, Eun-ho finally agrees to work together, and they set a trap—tricking Lord Cheon and the king into thinking the ledger fell into Minister Oh’s hands. And it works! The two backstab each other (literally), and by nightfall, Minister Oh is dead.
While Deok-soo and Eun-ho are busy taking down corrupt officials, Jun-hwa is drowning in heartbreak and wine. 🍷 (BAD COMBO.)
Drunk and furious, he rants that he came first, that Deok-soo was always supposed to be his. (Buddy, she is NOT a trophy! 😤)
And then Lord Cheon—the devil himself—takes advantage of Jun-hwa’s vulnerability:
👉 "Jae-on was always meant to be yours."
👉 "Draw upon your power, and never lose what belongs to you."
NO NO NO NO NO. 🚨 SOMEONE STOP THIS MAN. 🚨
Misled by his father, Jun-hwa spirals deeper into obsession, ordering Soo-ra to spy on Deok-soo. And when Soo-ra calls him out for acting just like his father, Jun-hwa drops another bombshell:
👉 "Eun-ho isn’t just a scholar. He’s the prince."
😱 WHOA. DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. 😱
Soo-ra is completely shaken, but before he can even process it, Jun-hwa is appointed as Yongcheonru’s new innkeeper. (NEPOTISM STRIKES AGAIN!)
And guess who his new assistants are?
👉 Deok-soo and Soo-ra.
🤡 This is the worst workplace setup EVER. 🤡
If we thought Jun-hwa was just heartbroken, this week proved he’s on a dangerous path. Gone is the sweet merchant—instead, we see a man wielding power with zero hesitation.
🔴 He humiliates noblemen by throwing money in their faces.
🔴 He mercilessly beats Myung-ho for harassing Deok-soo—while still covered in his blood.
Soo-ra watches in horror, and honestly? So are we. This isn’t the Jun-hwa we knew. 💔
DramaZen's Opinion
“JUN-HWA, PLEASE COME BACK TO US.” 😭
🔥 Best OTP Moment: That sweet post-kiss confession scene! Eun-ho being a shy, flustered mess while Deok-soo casually sleeps next to him? ICONIC.
😂 Funniest Moment: Eun-ho suffering outside the bathhouse while Deok-soo washes up. This man is FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE and we love to see it. 😂
🥹 Most Emotional Moment: Deok-soo discovering her father’s message through the snack box memories. HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO RECOVER FROM THIS?! 😭
🚨 BIGGEST CONCERN: JUN-HWA, PLEASE. SNAP OUT OF IT. Lord Cheon is playing you like a fiddle, and if you go full villain, I will riot.
With the final battle looming, Eun-ho and Deok-soo are closer than ever, but Jun-hwa is at a breaking point. Will he betray the ones he loves, or can he still be saved?!
Next week’s preview looks EXPLOSIVE, so drop your predictions below! ⬇️💬
