Typically, historical dramas aren’t my cup of tea, but “Queen Woo” piqued my interest despite my usual disinterest in the genre. The series has generated quite the buzz, with some praising it and others voicing numerous critiques. Personally, I find myself somewhere in the middle.
The plot follows Queen Woo Hee, portrayed by the outstanding Jeon Jong-seo, who is happily married to King Go Nam-mu of Goguryeo, played by the ever-charming Ji Chang-wook. However, everything changes when the king unexpectedly dies, leaving Queen Woo in a dangerous race against time. She has just 24 hours to marry one of her late husband’s brothers to secure her position and her life amidst power-hungry rivals.
The story opens in the year 197, on the battlefield, where King Go Nam-mu is leading a war to reclaim territory lost to the Han dynasty. After two years of brutal fighting, he’s down to the final piece of land. Before the climactic battle, he consults shaman Sabi (Oh Hanee), who predicts victory but conveniently omits the part where she also sees his bloody demise.
Despite the ominous prophecy, Go Nam-mu triumphs over his enemies, although he suffers injuries. His return isn’t celebrated by all, especially the scheming ministers who had hoped for a different outcome.
Back at the palace, Queen Woo Hee is no passive figure. She impressively predicts her husband’s battle strategy, showing she’s just as sharp as he is. Her intellect matches that of Prime Minister Eul Pa-so (Kim Mu-yeol), her frequent chess opponent in both literal and figurative terms.
Meanwhile, Queen Woo’s sister, Woo Sun, has her own ambitions. As the head of the royal maids, she plots to seduce Nam-mu and seize the throne. However, Nam-mu sees through her plan and tries to protect Woo Hee in an overly dramatic fashion that feels unnecessary.
The drama takes a dramatic twist when Woo Sun spikes Nam-mu’s drink with a love potion, and shortly afterward, the king dies. This sets off a frantic race to find a new king within 24 hours.
The acting in “Queen Woo” is exceptional. From the moment the cast was announced, it was clear the series would leave an impression. Ji Chang-wook delivers his signature intensity, with his stoic expressions and subtle body language perfectly capturing his character, even when playing a man in love.
Jeon Jong-seo, as expected, continues to impress with her authentic performance. Known for her roles in “The Call” and “The Wedding Impossible”, she brings depth to Queen Woo Hee.
Kim Mu-yeol, who gained praise for his role in “Sweet Home 3”, adds another notable performance to his resume as Prime Minister Eul Pa-so, a character who demands attention with his intelligence and complexity.
Lee Soo-hyuk shines as the terrifying third prince Go Bal-gi, delivering a chilling performance. However, a particularly controversial scene where Go Bal-gi murders his wife mid-intercourse to advance his schemes felt unnecessary. The character’s cruelty had already been well-established, making the scene feel excessive.
One of the show’s main drawbacks is its overuse of gratuitous nudity and sexual scenes, often diminishing the female characters. Nearly every woman, except for Queen Woo Hee and her bodyguard, is introduced in a sexual context, which feels forced and uncomfortable.
While the direction is competent, the screenplay lacks inspiration, especially when there are more thoughtful ways to explore power dynamics. Even with a talented cast, the show falls short in delivering a cohesive story. However, with part 2 on the horizon, there’s hope for more substance and growth.
The first four episodes are available now, with the next four set for release on September 12th.
Source: India Today
