Jeon Jong-seo is Ji Chang-wook’s Queen Woo
by lovepark
Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Mu-yeol, Ji Chang-wook
A new sageuk is in the works over at TVING about an unusual succession story and the woman at the center of it all. Taking place in Goguryeo, eponymous Queen Woo — played by Jeon Jong-seo (Money Heist: Korea) — loses her husband and gets caught in the middle of a fierce power struggle amongst the princes and the five tribes. She only has twenty-four hours to create a new king or else fall from grace, putting herself as well as her family in danger.
Queen Woo Hee has both brains and beauty, but due to her lowly background, she holds no power as the king’s wife. The only person she can trust within these desolate palace walls is her husband, King Go Nam-mu, played by Ji Chang-wook (If You Wish Upon Me). Posthumously known as King Gogukcheon of Goguryeo, Go Nam-mu is deemed the perfect ruler who possesses both dignity and benevolence fitting of his position. However, a crisis befalls him, and his absence brings bloodshed to the kingdom.
Kim Mu-yeol (Trolley) plays Prime Minister Eul Pa-so who, despite his parentage, rises in rank and becomes the king’s trusted advisor. Though he achieved many things, his heart still desires more, and he finds himself struggling between his loyalty to the king and his thirst for power.
Playing the queen’s sister Woo Sun is Jung Yumi (Celebrity). Though considered the most beautiful, she loses the position of queen to her younger sister, and enters the court to serve her while trying to reclaim her destiny.
Stepping into the antagonist role is Lee Soo-hyuk (Tomorrow) as Prince Go Bal-ki. Violent and vulgar, Go Bal-ki’s ambitions win over his fears of his older brother, and he vies for the throne as a candidate.
In contrast, Park Ji-hwan (Family) plays the head of the royal guard Mu Gol. A master of all weapons, Mu Gol served in the war alongside Go Nam-mu and swears fealty to the king.
Based on historical figures, the era of Queen Woo depicts a rare case of levirate marriage, the practice where a widow marries her deceased husband’s younger brother to preserve the family lineage. It will be interesting to see how the show will handle this premise and portray Queen Woo’s authority and independence.
Directed by Jung Se-gyo (Oh! My Gran) and written by Lee Byeong-hak, Queen Woo is slated to be released sometime next year on TVING.
Jung Yumi, Lee Soo-hyuk, Park Ji-hwan
Via Newsen
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Tags: Jeon Jong-seo, Ji Chang-wook, Jung Yumi (2), Kim Mu-yeol, Lee Soo-hyuk
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1 Gikata
July 18, 2023 at 11:26 AM
Finally, we've been waiting for this casting for too long! So she goes from JCW to LSH, I get it right? Girl has taste, my bestie will surely love this drama to the moon and back)))
It's been centuries since we've seen JCW in sageuk btw. Wonder if he still has it in him... Too bad his character apparently won't be there from start to finish. Or will he? Plot keeps mentioning "losing" and "absence" instead of logically expected death. Are we in it for Cliff of Non-Doom's cameo and ensuing makjang?))) Scheming jelly sister certainly hints at the general tone of the story, heh. Bring in the crazy!
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Kafiyah Bello
July 18, 2023 at 11:41 AM
LMAO, Girl has taste!!!
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Gikata
July 18, 2023 at 12:04 PM
I mean, we could've get ANYONE playing the royal brothers for FL to marry, but these two of all people? I'm not the biggest fan of either guy, but putting them together in messy sageuk love triangle is a Christmas gift level of casting!
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Kafiyah Bello
July 18, 2023 at 12:54 PM
Oh, lol. I am not disagreeing with you, I just thought it was funny and I actually really like both. This will be the height of DRAMA.
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Gikata
July 18, 2023 at 1:14 PM
In the worst case scenario it's gonna be one of those "watching it for the plot" dramas at least. Still win for us, plot-lovers^^
Midnight
July 18, 2023 at 11:47 AM
Plot keeps mentioning "losing" and "absence" instead of logically expected death.
I noticed that too.
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Elinor is trapped in the timeslip
July 18, 2023 at 1:01 PM
I did, too. Maybe they're trying to maintain a bit of mystery at this early stage instead of saying "featuring JCW only until his character dies early in the story." The history is what it is, although it's probably as much legend as fact. And of course they could play fast and loose with a historical figure and wouldn't be the first sageuk to do so.
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LaurenSophie
July 18, 2023 at 11:47 AM
So you think the "violent and vulgar" descriptors for LSH's character aren't accurate--i.e. he appears to be the antagonist but will ultimately be the protagonist?
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Gikata
July 18, 2023 at 12:18 PM
I've been a good girl all this time and did not google titular Queen's apparently very epic madness of bio yet, but from all the news about drama combined plot goes roughly like this: she first marries one guy - King - then something happens to him so she has to marry his brother. Since there are no other princes announced yet I assume LSH's character is the one that's gonna be her hubby number 2 and next king in line. I don't think his character description is contradictory to this plot - FL's second marriage appears to be purely for political/survival reasons, so groom's not-so-stellar personality shouldn't matter much as long as he fits the convenience bill. It also mentions he's ambitious and wants the throne, right? Well, she wants to keep being Queen apparently, so they have at least one common goal/interest, if only temporarily. I'm fine with hate marriage too in this case))) Which one of the brothers - if any, since there are more guys in the mixt - is gonna be THE male lead we're supposed to root for is remains to be seen. Hell, in this case I wouldn't even mind drama going full harem, let the girl live her best life in this flower garden!
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LaurenSophie
July 18, 2023 at 12:22 PM
Thanks! I love LSH and think he's been criminally underused in a lot of dramas ("Tomorrow" being the most recent to do so), so when I read the character description for him, I admit I had a bit of an inner tantrum. What came to mind was a snarling, one-dimensional, cliched villain. But after reading your post, I have some hope that whether or not he's the ML, it'll be an interesting and prominent role. I do admit, though, that I'd love for him to end up being the ML.
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Gikata
July 18, 2023 at 12:36 PM
Yes, he's certainly a better actor than many established leading men I can name, not to mention THEM VISUALS, so him being stuck in second lead/villain roles to this very day is just super unfair. One hopeful moment is that it's still a kdrama, so maybe FL will do her kdrama thing and eventually fix his baddie ways with the power of love, who knows))) At the very least she should try, he's way too fine to not give him a chance... *sigh* I wouldn't last long in dramaworld game of thrones even with all my wits, that's for sure.
JillofAllTrades
July 18, 2023 at 1:01 PM
But wasn't the name of the brother she married "Sansang". She was not married to "Bal gi". He faced defeat and death.
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Gikata
July 18, 2023 at 1:05 PM
Maybe Sansang is his kingly name and Balgi the birth one? Idk about history details here, and even if I knew, no one guarantees that drama will stay 100% true to chronicles. Anything is possible.
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JillofAllTrades
July 18, 2023 at 1:12 PM
Historically they are two different people. But as you said, I am not sure if they are going for historical accuracy.
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Gikata
July 18, 2023 at 1:31 PM
Oh, I see. Are we already past that "let's cancel sageuks for DisToRtInG HiStOrY" era? I'm 200% ready for it to be over, it spoils all the fun, and not only in "guess the plot from promos" aspect.
kiara
July 18, 2023 at 6:15 PM
The historical records of this era are considered unreliable as they were compiled centuries later during the Goryeo era.
I think the Legend of Queen Woo would be a fitting title.
King Sindae the 8th ruler of Goguryeo had 4 sons.
1. Prince Nammu aka King Gogukcheon, Queen Woo's first husband.
2. Prince Bal gi (the rebel prince)
3. Prince Yeonu aka King Sansang, Queen Woo's 2nd husband.
4. Prince Gyesu (the general).
I found it enjoyable to learn about the establishment of Goguryeo and its different tribes while watching JUMONG. This drama is set in the early stage of Goguryeo, making it a great introduction for those interested in this time period.
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Gikata
July 18, 2023 at 6:42 PM
Hmm, so prince
hotbaddie was the second born? I am no math expert, but that usually makes one the perfectly legitimate next in line if number 1 exits the stage with no sons in sight. How did he end up with rebel label while the throne AND the girl went to his 3rd bro instead? That was a rhetorical question, of course. Seems like we're going "villain's got a point" route again. Second kids have it rough in kdramas lately, what a weird trend...Required fields are marked *
kiara
July 18, 2023 at 7:49 PM
Good question. I find the various possibilities intriguing. However, it's hard to know for sure who the true rebel was since history is often written by the winner, like Sansang.
Additionally, there's a possibility that the girl had a romantic interest in the third brother, as she may have wanted him to succeed as the next king.
That's the best I can come up for hot baddie. LOL
Gikata
July 19, 2023 at 5:42 AM
@kiara, true, her supporting that particular brother, whatever her reasons were, probably was the thing that made a difference. What a messy family! Hope they'll make an entertaining show with all that backstabbing and marriage geometry.
2 Kafiyah Bello
July 18, 2023 at 11:42 AM
I enjoyed Jeon Jong Seo for the little bit I watched Money Heist. So I am looking forward to watching her in Saeguk gear!!!
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3 Kurama
July 18, 2023 at 11:55 AM
Will be the return of Gwi from Scholar Who Walks the Night? She should be careful!
If Ji Chang-Wook died, who will play his brother?
The whole story will last 24h?
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Gikata
July 18, 2023 at 12:23 PM
Wouldn't mind if they decide to portray his character's vulgarity and badness by keeping LSH topless 24/7 just like in SCHOLAR. Nothing screams charismatic villain better than mane of glory and naked abs combo^^
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StacyA
July 18, 2023 at 1:51 PM
Thank you, I so needed that mental image after the long day I've had at work LOL
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JillofAllTrades
July 19, 2023 at 10:14 AM
Now you have set some unrealistic expectations in my mind. And if the makers of the series do not deliver...
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Gikata
July 19, 2023 at 10:22 AM
... then there's always an option to (re)watch SCHOLAR in all its fanservice glory)))
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4 kiara
July 18, 2023 at 2:07 PM
Yay for not being a Joseon sageuk. That's all!
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5 bong-soo
July 18, 2023 at 3:22 PM
I hate to put a damper on the party but since I suffer from terminal availability angst, here is an article from back in April in “The Hollywood Reporter” that reports QUEEN WOO will be made available in the US (among numerous countries) on Paramount+:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/paramount-korean-content-a-bloody-lucky-day-and-queen-woo-1235392744/
I get concerned when I see a streaming outfit with a plus sign after its name.
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DancingEmma
July 18, 2023 at 3:40 PM
Oh, no!!
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Elinor is trapped in the timeslip
July 18, 2023 at 3:50 PM
Ugh. I'd never even heard of Paramount+. Darkside, here I come.
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DancingEmma
July 18, 2023 at 4:58 PM
@Elinor: Do you take precautions against malware when you do?
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mindy
July 18, 2023 at 5:09 PM
A good adblocker (I use two: uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus) does wonders, and there are, ah, other options out there that are more private and not riddled with ads...
I haven't opened a darkside streaming site in ages, but I still have access to all the dramas my heart desires... ;)
Elinor is trapped in the timeslip
July 18, 2023 at 5:21 PM
What @mindy says is exactly what I do, plus I have a Mac with the security software my employer requires me to use for work. I don't even see ads when I go to yepdrama or dramac**l. The one time I opened yepdrama with my husband's iPad, I got about 20 pop-ups - some of them really icky - before it finally loaded the video, and that was using DuckDuckGo as the browser.
DancingEmma
July 18, 2023 at 5:36 PM
Thank you to you both.
darwi
July 19, 2023 at 3:06 AM
I'm using firefox with several extensions, and I have no pop-up and so far no issue.
Adbloc plus, Adnauseam, Block site, Decentraleyes, Disconnect, uBlock Origin.
It's always a shock when I use another computer that has no pop-up blocker.
6 cozybooks
July 18, 2023 at 6:14 PM
I am SO READY to see an evil Lee Soo Hyuk in Hanbok again... Scholar Who Walks the Night is the reason why I became a fan.
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7 jillian
July 18, 2023 at 8:27 PM
Lee Soo Hyuk as a rebel prince is most welcome! Is it wrong that I am more excited to see him than the leads?! 🤣🤣🤣 I imagine it will be like LJK in Scarlet Heart.
Plus Ji Chang Wook is a bonus since if he is the first husband does that mean he will be seen halfway?
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8 chibi8535
July 18, 2023 at 11:22 PM
In addition to all of this, it's going to be rated 18+ (I mean, JCW AND LSH playing brothers and possibly 'sharing' the girl?....) :P The story sounds exactly like the +18 rated 'The Concubine' by Cho Yeo Jung & Kim Dong Wook, so I pray the plot-twist is equally as awesome! :P [Ps. highly rec that movie]
My only worries are how much of a hot-mess Goguryeo wigs are going to be on both the Male Leads 🤣🤣
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bong-soo
July 19, 2023 at 6:38 AM
I swear an earlier article on QUEEN WOO reported that it would carry a TV content rating of 19 which of course caught my eye. After a cursory search I can’t locate that article however the following link describes the Korean content rating system for film and TV and here is the paragraph for the ‘19’ rating:
“19 - Prohibited for under 19s. 19-rated programming is banned from airing during the hours of 7:00AM to 10:00PM (Can air from 9:00AM to 1:00PM for School Days). Programs that receive this rating will almost certainly have adult themes, sexual situations, strong language and disturbing scenes of violence. Equivalent to hard TV-MA”.
Here us the link that describes the content rating system:
https://rating-system.fandom.com/wiki/Korea_Media_Rating_Board#TV
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9 ladynightshade wants to be gazed at by namgoong min
July 19, 2023 at 1:26 AM
Lee Soo-hyuk as the villain??!? Again?? *throws giant tantrum in anger and frustration* When will this travesty end?
Begging the writer to engage in the good ol’ practice of historical distortion and uhhh, merge the figures of Prince Balgi and King Sansang into one ambitious, rebellion-prone prince who eventually succeeds his older brother (he is the second son, after all). Why else leave out the casting for such a key character, if not to make drastic changes to (poorly attested, barely recorded) real events?
Yes, I am deluding myself into believing all this because I physically need Lee Soo-hyuk to be in a proper romantic drama. Even better if it’s angsty, tragic and somewhat antagonistic - makes for excellent sageuk dramatization and would totally fit a story concerning levirate marriage.
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Diana Hansen
July 19, 2023 at 8:19 AM
And I second that motion! Give that man some hearts and flowers to hold and let him be the romantic we all know he can be!
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10 Diana Hansen
July 19, 2023 at 8:16 AM
Very excited to see this! I love period/historical stories and did I mention I love Ji Chang Wook and the rest of this gang? Hope we don't have to wait too long for it to happen.
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11 kiara
July 19, 2023 at 10:31 AM
Kim Mu-yeol doesn't get much love around here, but he can lead/carry a show if given suitable material. Despite his character appearing to be a typical power-hungry prime minister like in most sageuks, he was quite admirable as a leader. His relationship with the king is reminiscent of the bond shared by King Sejong and Jang Yeong-sil, Liu Bei, and Zhuge Liang from "Romance of the 3 Kingdoms."
Talents over status. Writer nim, 🙏🙏🙏
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