A courtesan named Hongjang is used as a pawn by Kim Jong-bae’s men to prove Grand Prince Jinhan guilty. In Captivating the King, Han Dong-hee plays Hongjang.
Hongjang is the sister of Yoo Hyun-bo, Assistant Section Chief of the Ministry of Rites. She comes from a noble family, but circumstances forced her to become a courtesan.
As Yoo Hyun-bo failed to protect her, she was one of the people who were taken hostage by the Qing when they invaded Joseon.
It was Kang Hee-soo who paid the ransom to free her, not her family. Once Hongjang returned home, her brother openly displayed his disapproval of her.
Hongjang and Hee-soo’s friendship
There is no love lost between Hongjang and Yoo Hyun-bo, who ill-treats and humiliates his sister every chance he gets.
On the other hand, Hongjang is good friends with Hee-soo, whom she considers her savior. Hongjang is privy to Hee-soo’s most important secret.
She knows that Hee-soo disguises herself as a man and plays baduk to save money in order to rescue the hostages. She never reveals Hee-soo’s secret to anyone.
Even when Grand Prince Jinhan, Yi In, questions her, Hongjang proves her loyalty by not disclosing Hee-soo’s identity.
Hongjang figures out that Hee-soo has fallen in love with Yi In even before Hee-soo realizes it herself.
Similarly, it does not take Hee-soo long to come to the conclusion that Hongjang has feelings for Chu Dal-ha. However, Hongjang never gets her happy ending.
Unjust punishment
When Chu Dal-ha, who had been sent to the Ming by Kang Hang-soon on the King’s orders, gets captured by the Qing, Kim Jong-bae suspects Yi In’s involvement.
To prove that Yi In plotted treason with Kang Hang-soon, Kim Jong-bae has Hongjang and the others who were associated with Yi In arrested.
Hongjang is brutally tortured by her brother, who takes pleasure in her suffering. Despite the suffering, Hongjang refuses to betray Hee-soo and disclose her real identity.
Hee-soo and Yi In come to her rescue. Yi In puts a stop to the torture, but Hongjang, who is in need of medical attention, is not saved.
To take the throne, Yi In makes a deal with Yoo Hyun-bo, who wants his sister dead. In exchange for exposing Kim Jong-bae, he wants Hee-soo and Hongjang to be punished.
Hee-soo and Hongjang, along with a few others, are framed for colluding with Kim Jong-bae and his son. As a result, they receive a severe sentence.
Hee-soo begs Yi In to spare Hongjang, whose condition is deteriorating, but to no avail. Despite her unwavering loyalty, Hongjang is punished for a crime she did not commit.
When the prisoners are being transported, Hongjang succumbs to her injuries due to a lack of medical attention.
Hee-soo is the only one who mourns Hongjang’s death. It becomes Hee-soo’s motivation to survive and seek revenge on Yi In.
Also Read: Kim Jong-bae: Captivating the King character explained