The tvN X TVING original drama ‘Wongyeong’ captivated viewers from its first broadcast with the tumultuous love-hate narrative of the royal couple Cha Joo-young and Lee Hyun-wook. The ending featuring Lee Hyun-wook bringing Cha Joo-young's character, Lee Idam, into the scene as a 'woman' intensified the fierce conflict and ignited anticipation for the next episode.
The first episode of the tvN X TVING original drama ‘Wongyeong’ (directed by Kim Sang-ho, written by Lee Young-mi, produced by Studio Dragon and JS Pictures), which aired on the 6th, recorded an average rating of 5.1% in the metropolitan area, peaking at 5.9%, and an average of 4.9% nationwide, peaking at 5.7%, securing the top spot among cable and general programming channels during the same time slot. (Based on paid platforms including cable, IPTV, and satellite / provided by Nielsen Korea)
The broadcast opened the epic saga with the splendid and grand coronation ceremony of Wongyeong and Lee Bang-won as king and queen. As Lee Bang-won was engulfed in fear before the 'Prince's Rebellion', it was his wife Wongyeong who donned armor and assured him, "Tonight, history will surely be on our side." The two, having achieved royal power, promised to "share everything together" and passionately loved each other.
Afterward, it was Wongyeong who pierced through Lee Bang-won's anxiety stemming from his unrecognized royal legitimacy. Rumors circulated in the palace about a joint regime formed with her family, the Min clan, and the courtiers were wary of Wongyeong's father, Min Je (Park Ji-il), who had "placed the world beneath his feet." Moreover, her brothers Min Mu-gu (Han Seung-won) and Min Mu-jil (Kim Woo-dam) boldly remarked in front of Lee Bang-won, "If the queen had been born a man, she would have become king." However, whenever Wongyeong saw Lee Bang-won's gaze wavering, she firmly held his hand and reassured him, "Do not be afraid, move forward. You are doing well."
Nevertheless, a decisive event occurred that exploded Lee Bang-won's internal conflict. He recognized that the masked man who attacked him late at night was his father Lee Seong-gye's (Lee Seong-min) loyal subordinate, Won Beom (Park Gi-deok). In the past, Lee Bang-won had been a source of pride for Lee Seong-gye. This was because Lee Bang-won, who had been looked down upon for his lack of scholarly achievement, had fulfilled the regrets of his father, a military officer, by passing the state examination. The father who had embraced him, saying, "You, Bang-won, will fulfill my wishes," had now become an irretrievable relationship. The realization that his father did not recognize him as king and even sought to kill him left Lee Bang-won in indescribable shock and disarray.
All of Lee Bang-won's fears, anger, and resentment were directed towards Wongyeong. Furthermore, Wongyeong's remark about Lee Bang-won's son, Young-sil (Lee Si-ah), during their time in the palace, "I will take care of it, just stay there," provoked Lee Bang-won's ire, leading him to order that Young-sil and her child be brought to the palace. Before being a queen, Wongyeong, as a wife of a man, was furious. It was even more unbearable humiliation for her, as she had saved Young-sil, who was on the verge of being beaten to death, and cherished her as a servant.
Lee Bang-won provoked Wongyeong, saying, "I thought this would be the most effective way to humiliate you," escalating her anger. He had no choice but to cling to the powerful Min clan, who had strong forces and private soldiers, to achieve royal power while facing threats to his life from opposing factions. He returned the humiliation he had felt and endured. When Wongyeong suggested discussing their marital issues at eye level, he emphasized that he was now in a relationship of king and subjects, bound to follow his decisions. Feeling a desperate sense of betrayal, Wongyeong eventually confronted Lee Bang-won in his chamber, expressing her resentment, "If I had known you would change so tragically, I would not have mobilized my family to make you king," and refused to consummate their marriage.
Soon, Wongyeong went to find Lee Bang-won, who had stormed out of the chamber, but when a court lady blocked her, she instinctively sensed that another woman had entered the chamber. At the end of the broadcast, it was revealed that the woman was none other than Wongyeong's closest maid, Chae-ryeong (Lee Idam), delivering a shocking twist. Wongyeong, frozen in despair and anger, spent the night in turmoil, while Lee Bang-won, with a distorted heart from his shattered pride, embraced Chae-ryeong as a woman, heightening the tension in their marital conflict.
Thus, ‘Wongyeong’ presented an exciting narrative intertwined with intimate stories and emotions that inevitably swirl due to the turbulent political saga of early Joseon, creating a high-quality and differentiated historical drama. Wongyeong, who supported her husband with more than just domestic assistance, felt a profound sense of despair, yet her deep love for him was evident as she unhesitatingly protected him from the assassin's threat. The conflicting emotions of Lee Bang-won, who had to push Wongyeong away even at the cost of humiliating the wife he loved most, laid a solid foundation for the love-hate narrative. This is why anticipation for the upcoming story is even higher.
Above all, the historical drama couple, Cha Joo-young and Lee Hyun-wook, transformed viewers' expectations into "as expected," firmly establishing their presence. With her calm voice and graceful demeanor, Cha Joo-young captivated attention as she delivered an impressive performance as the queen of Joseon, ‘Wongyeong’. She portrayed the swirling emotions of a man's wife before being a queen, creating a compelling immersion with her restrained acting. Lee Hyun-wook also convincingly captured the charisma of King Taejong ‘Lee Bang-won’, the pain of not being recognized by his father, and the internal conflict shaken by the precarious royal power, adding weight to his character. Additionally, the special appearance of Lee Seong-min, who portrayed the anger and resentment of King Taejo ‘Lee Seong-gye’, who killed his brother and seized royal power, overwhelmed the drama with his unparalleled performance.
The second episode of the tvN X TVING original drama ‘Wongyeong’ will air on the 7th at 8:50 PM on tvN. On Tving, episodes 1 and 2, which were pre-released on the 6th, can be enjoyed simultaneously.
