Perfect Crown Episode 10 begins with Hui-ju begging her father to save Prince Yi-an. Determined to save him, she returns to the palace and shocks her husband by asking for a divorce. Prince Yi-an is taken by surprise and, when he asks for an explanation, Hui-ju tells him cruelly that he has nothing left to give her.
She says she has to protect what is left of her inheritance and her father’s company. She leaves Prince Yi-an in heartbreak, reminding him of his promise to never trap her into a marriage she no longer desires.
Prince Yi-an and the Burden of the Crown
Prince Yi-an retreats to the late king’s chambers, unable to understand the words of Hui-ju. There, he remembers the cruel words he once said to his brother, calling him weak for failing Yi-rang. Now looking back he knows the helplessness of having to bear the burden of the throne.
The next morning, Hui-ju goes to his office and asks for permission to go to the council meeting where she plans to formally ask for a divorce. Prince Yi-an says yes, but clearly in pain.
The Wrath of Hui-ju
At the council meeting, Hui-ju keeps up a brave front and takes the blame for everything. She joins forces with the Castle Group to change the story for the public, as Tae-joon rises to the occasion at a press conference to defend Hui-ju and Prince Yi-an.
Tae-joon says that he himself wrote the marriage contract and says that it was never legally notarized. He also warns the media that those who spread false rumours will face a defamation suit.
Meanwhile, Hui-ju asks Jeong-woo to investigate her after being stripped of her royal titles, promising Prince Yi-an will be proven innocent and remain regent.
The Unexpected Ascension of Prince Yi-an
Tension mounts and the royal secretariat arrives with devastating news. Prince Yi-an secretly met with Yi-yoon, who abdicated of his own free will and named him as the next ruler.
Sung-won immediately questions the legitimacy of the decision, but Prince Yi-an firmly shuts him down. The first time he formally refuses the throne ( in keeping with royal tradition and protocol . )
Hui-ju chases him after the meeting, wanting to explain herself. But Prince Yi-an accuses her of not trusting him to keep them both safe as he turns away.
Yi-rang Starts to Lose Control
Elsewhere in the palace, Yi-rang is crushed when she hears of Yi-yoon’s abdication. She tries desperately to reach him, threatening to break down his door.
Later Jeong-woo corners her and uses the poisoning scandal to blackmail her. He tells her to get a handle on the prince or the king before the last royal request.
A Romantic Reunion Alters Everything
Prince Yi-an withdraws to his private residence, ignoring the calls of Hui-ju to clear his head.
Eventually, Court Lady Jin-sook encourages Hui-ju to stop waiting and to go after him herself.
Hui-ju wrote to Prince Yi-an that she was feeling sick. He says he will return the following day, but she heads directly to his private residence.
Then Hui-ju finally confesses her real feelings. She kisses him. “You don’t want me any more?” Prince Yi-an responds with equal ardor and the two spend the night together.
Prince Yi-an Tells His Biggest Fear
Prince Yi-an expresses his worries about becoming king the next morning.
He says he had always known of the late king’s last wish. Before his death the king had had a royal robe made for him, but Prince Yi-an did not receive it until after his brother’s death and was overcome with guilt.
Now he wants to protect his young nephew, but he worries that seizing the throne is just another selfish act.
Hui-ju tells him that to want power for the right reasons is not greed, and promises to stand by him no matter what.
The Painful Past of Yi-rang Finally Revealed
Back at the palace Yi-rang begs Prince Yi-an not to take the throne.
During their confrontation a big revelation occurs, Yi-rang had dreamed of becoming a pianist and the prince Yi-an had been her first love.
Her father forced her to abandon her dreams to be the crown princess. Now she believes Prince Yi-an should give up his future just like she gave up hers.
Prince Yi-an declines. He says he’s had enough of keeping quiet and will speak up for his nephew no matter what.
The Final Ceremony is a Disaster
With the day of the last royal edict approaching, Prince Yi-an is ready to officially take the throne.
He tells Hui-ju he’s proud of her and he’ll wait for her afterwards.
Meanwhile, Yi-hoon finally lets Yi-rang know that he knew all along about their father’s last wish and she is utterly shattered.
Meanwhile, Jeong-woo stalls his arrival at the council hall, which immediately raises suspicion.
As Prince Yi-an is on his way to the ceremony, he receives a message from Jeong-woo asking him to stop by the council hall first.
Moments later a massive explosion rips the building apart.
Hui-ju hurries horrified to the scene. Hye-jung confirms her worst fear, Prince Yi-an was in there.
Sung-won watches with a disturbingly satisfied smile as the chaos erupts.
- Episode Review
Episode 10 is packed with one jaw-dropping twist after another and is easily one of the best episodes of Perfect Crown so far.
The fact that Yi-rang was once in love with Prince Yi-an gives an added emotional depth to their rivalry and makes her motivations far more tragic. Both have been sacrificing their own happiness for duty all their lives, which makes their conflict all the more heartbreaking.
The ascension of Prince Yi-an to the throne is equally fascinating, in that he is the first ruler not to be manipulated. He is an immediate threat to people like Sung-won and Jeong-woo, who clearly still have dangerous plans in motion.
The relationship between Hui-ju and Prince Yi-an is at times emotionally frustrating, mainly because neither can fully trust the other when making major decisions. Still, their reunion was one of the most emotional moments of the series.
And finally, Tae-joon deserves a nod. He came to his sister’s rescue when she needed him most and proved once again why he has become one of the most lovable characters of the drama.