Cha Joo-young‘s reversal of ’looking ahead one step‘, thrilling ’Queen Crush‘ shines
In the drama ‘Wonkyung’, Cha Joo-young presented a thrilling ‘Empress Crush’ with a twist that foresaw the situation one step ahead.
The 8th episode of the tvN X TVING original drama ‘Wonkyung’ (directed by Kim Sang-ho/written by Lee Young-mi/produced by Studio Dragon and JS Pictures), which aired on the 28th, recorded an average of 3.6% for households nationwide, a peak of 4.5%, an average of 3.5% for households in the metropolitan area, and a peak of 4.8%, ranking first in the same time slot including cable and comprehensive programming. (Based on paid platforms integrating cable, IPTV, and satellite/provided by Nielsen Korea)
In the broadcast that day, Won-kyung (Cha Joo-young) and Lee Bang-won (Lee Hyun-wook) joined forces to solve the house problem in Hanyang. As Jeong Sang-gung (So Hee-jung) and Seo Sang-gung (Jeong Eui-soon) happily watched, they were a couple who fought and fought, but when they shared their thoughts for the people, they were so affectionate and of one mind. Lee Bang-won realized that half of the government officials could not find housing in the capital city and could not go to work on time, and even if they did find housing, they could not afford the expenses. This was because the powerful and the royal relatives had amassed wealth through speculation by taking the land and houses of the people. Therefore, he ordered a thorough investigation of those who were making huge profits on housing prices.
In the meantime, Won-gyeong (Cha Joo-young) personally visited a distant relative, Bamgol Kim (Yoon Ji-hye), whom he had learned through an informant, Pan-su (Song Jae-ryong). She, who “holds Hanyang in her hands,” confronted Won-gyeong boldly, saying, “Even if he is the king, what can he do in Hanyang?”
That was understandable, since there was no one among the major royal relatives and meritorious retainers who was not connected to the Kim family. Among those who bought houses and lands at a low price through her was Min Mu-gu (Han Seung-won). Won-gyeong reprimanded his younger brother for disobeying the order to live as if dead, but Min Mu-gu blamed his sister instead, saying that it was the duty of the eldest grandson of the family to protect the property.
Won-gyeong, who returned with mixed feelings, talked with Lee Bang-won about the reality outside the palace that he had seen with his own eyes. Lee Bang-won criticized her for going too far as a queen, but he listened to his wife‘s words. The next day, he ordered her to expropriate a house near Changdeokgung Palace by setting a price of five sacks of rice for a three-room tile-roofed house.
However, the ministers vehemently opposed it, saying that it was the people’s freedom to buy and sell houses at any price. Lee Bang-won did not back down. The ministers who were fighting over official positions spoke with one voice in front of profit, and he sternly rebuked them, declaring that he would rule over those who satisfied their greed against the people according to principle.
Then, the ‘Chinjamrye’ (親蠶禮), the only royal rite of Joseon led by a woman, was held. It was an event where the queen showed the people an example of raising silkworms and promoted sericulture, conveying her intention to take care of the people‘s livelihood. As the grand Chinjamrye was coming to a close, the atmosphere froze for an instant. Lee Seong-gye’s half-brother Myeongseon Daebu (Choi Byung-mo) stepped forward, saying that a house was more important than sericulture, and that he was going to report the powerful official who had seized such a house and made a profit.
At this time, a plot twist occurred. Min Mu-gu immediately confessed that he was “blinded by this gate”, and bowed his head, saying, “I will give the house to Your Majesty.” Ha Ryun (Choi Deok Moon), who is quick-witted, also stepped forward to be loyal to Min Mu Gu, and the ministers followed suit. Won Kyung put an emphasis on this. He pressured Myeong Seon Dae Bu to join, saying, “If a senior member of the royal family steps forward, His Majesty will be greatly pleased.” It was the moment when Won Kyung’s wisdom shone through when he noticed the scheme of Myeong Seon Dae Bu, who had been supporting the Bamgol Kim clan and her supporters through Pan Soo, to set a trap by making the profit from the house Min Mu Gu bought tenfold.
Lee Bang Won was shaken when he saw Won Kyung looking pleased. Even though Myeong Seon Dae Bu was a corrupt member of the royal family, he was still his in-laws’ uncle. Lee Bang Won saw “the appearance of a king” in Won Kyung, who could rule with dignity. Here, Lee Bang-won orders a strict investigation of the powerful officials who colluded with the Bamgol Kim clan, and appoints Min Mu-jil (Kim Woo-dam) as the head of the investigation (the king directly appoints an official). It was a strategy to make the core Myeongseon Daebu of the royal family and the core Min clan of the powerful officials fight each other. He also accepted Ha Ryun‘s advice and pushed for the crown prince’s wedding. It was to increase his power from Won-gyeong, who fiercely protected the crown prince.
At the end of the broadcast, the selection of the crown princess began. The royal family openly supported the daughter of Lee Sook-beon (Park Yong-woo), who had a strong desire for power, at his request. The other candidates were obviously just hanging around. In the end, the two daughters of Lee Sook-beon and Kim Han-ro were the final candidates. Won-gyeong emphasized that he would not allow even candidates who were not popular with the royal family, and insisted on a fair competition where he personally selected unknown candidates. It was an ending that made people curious about how the different dreams of Won-gyeong and Lee Bang-won, who are getting their first daughter-in-law, will develop in the future.
The tvN X TVING original drama ‘Won-gyeong’ airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 PM on tvN. Prior to that, the second episode is pre-released every Monday at 2 PM on tving. The prequel to the main story,
Photo courtesy of tvN, TVING
Jo Sung-woon, Donga.com reporter madduxly@donga.com
This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.
