Queen Woo, a captivating new historical drama, delves into the tumultuous life of Queen Woo, a woman forced to navigate the treacherous waters of royal politics in ancient Goguryeo.
Set against a backdrop of political intrigue and personal ambition, the series offers a fresh perspective on the life of a historical figure often overshadowed by male counterparts.
At the heart of the story is Queen Woo, a woman of exceptional intelligence and strength. Despite her remarkable qualities, she finds herself trapped in a society that limits her potential due to her gender. When her husband, the king, unexpectedly dies, Woo must quickly assert her authority and secure the throne for a new ruler.
The series offers a gripping exploration of power, politics, and personal relationships. As she navigates the complex web of alliances and betrayals within the royal court, she must confront her vulnerabilities and make difficult choices that will shape the destiny of the kingdom.
A Peek to Queen Woo’s Creative Process
In the production conference for the Queen Woo that took place in Seoul, the cast and creative team relayed their thoughts about the series.
During the conference, Director Jung Se-kyo described Queen Woo as a “faction drama,” blending historical facts with creative fiction, based on records related to Queen Woo found in the Samguk Sagi. He encouraged the audience to anticipate a groundbreaking “final boss” narrative, promising surprising plot twists and a fresh story with each episode.
Director Jung revealed that it was originally conceived as a film script during his time as an assistant director for War of the Arrows. Over the years, he continued to develop the concept, eventually adapting it into an 8-part OTT drama with the support of TVING. Jung shared that there is little historical information available about Queen Woo, which fueled his curiosity and creative exploration of why she became queen twice and how she navigated the complex political landscape of Goguryeo during a short but significant period.
The series also sparked discussions about historical accuracy, particularly regarding the depiction of costumes. Some viewers pointed out discrepancies between the characters’ clothing in the trailer and traditional Goguryeo attire, leading to concerns about potential ties to the Northeast Project, a controversial historical interpretation.
Addressing these concerns, Director Jung explained that while some creative liberties were taken due to the scarcity of historical materials, the production team made significant efforts to conduct thorough research. He assured that the series had advisors and experts on hanbok and historical imagery, and more detailed information about the visual design would be released later.
Writer Lee Byung-hak also emphasized that the drama reflects the identity of Goguryeo and its primary adversaries, aiming to dispel any concerns about historical inaccuracies or associations with the Northeast Project. He underscored that Queen Woo remains faithful to the essence of Goguryeo’s history, particularly through the portrayal of the god of war, a central theme in the series.
Jeon Jong Seo’s First Historical Drama
Jeon Jong Seo, in her first historical drama role, shared that her decision to take on the project was deeply personal. She revealed that her late father, who passed away in February of the previous year, had expressed a desire for her to pursue this role. Reflecting on her experience, Jeon mentioned a pivotal moment during filming when she realized the significance of her character. Surrounded by a predominantly male cast, she found herself as the only female actor on set, which led her to deeply contemplate the strength and complexity of the character she was portraying.
Jeon also discussed the challenges of adapting to the speech style required for historical dramas. She explained that she had a distinct way of speaking in her daily life, which she typically carried into her acting. However, she found that the unique tone of historical dramas required a different approach. During the script reading, she felt out of place, as if she were speaking a different language, and recognized the need to balance the traditional tone of historical drama with her natural style of delivery.
The production team expressed their hopes that viewers would enjoy the series and appreciate the strong performances by the cast, as well as the intriguing story behind Queen Woo. They invited the audience to immerse themselves in the drama and look forward to what promises to be a captivating and action-packed narrative.
Queen Woo is set to make its debut on TVING, with Part 1 being released on the 29th and Part 2 scheduled for release on September 12th.
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