If you’re a fan of historical K-dramas that blend sweeping romance, palace intrigue, and gut-wrenching emotional stakes, ‘The Queen Who Crowns’ should be at the very top of your watchlist.
This TVN drama delivers a powerful reinterpretation of Queen Wongyeong’s story at the end of the Goryeo dynasty and the founding of Joseon. Cha Joo-young stars in the titular role, and her performance is nothing short of masterful. She breathes life into Wongyeong, a woman torn between her ideals, her love for her husband, and the bitter cost of power. It’s not just a role. It’s a transformation.
The plot follows Wongyeong, who marries the man she loves, Lee Bang-won (played by the always commanding Lee Hyun-wook), only to find herself locked in a heartbreaking battle of loyalty, ambition, and identity as he rises to the throne as the third king of Joseon. Their relationship becomes a chessboard of emotional sacrifice and betrayal. And yet, Wongyeong never falters in her role as queen or as a wife — her resilience is as riveting as it is tragic.
Lee Yi-dam and Lee Si-a also deliver stellar performances as women who orbit the palace’s power center, one as a former servant turned royal consort, and the other a pregnant concubine. Each character adds another emotional layer to the tangled web of love, duty, and betrayal.
Make no mistake, this isn’t a feel-good romance. It’s a drama that will wreck you. You’ll cry, scream, and curse the characters — and it’s all because the writing and acting are that good. Every twist hurts because it feels earned. The tension is masterfully built, the dialogue razor-sharp, and the pacing never lets up.
Cha Joo-young deserves every award possible for this role. She is Queen Wongyeong. From her quiet strength to her heartbreaking vulnerability, she carries the series on her shoulders with grace and fire. It’s an Oscar-worthy performance in every sense of the word.
In short: ‘The Queen Who Crowns’ is an unforgettable ride. It’s tragic, beautiful, and so well-executed that you’ll still be thinking about it long after the final episode. A must-watch for anyone who loves historical dramas with real emotional depth.
Check out the trailer below.
