Cha Joo-young and Lee Hyun-wook ended their years of regret in Joseon, the country they helped build.

The final episode of the tvN X TVING original drama ‘Won-kyung’ (directed by Kim Sang-ho, written by Lee Young-mi), which aired on the 11th, recorded an average of 6.6% in viewership ratings nationwide, a peak of 8.0%, an average of 6.4% in the metropolitan area, and a peak of 7.9%. These are its highest viewership ratings. The target viewership ratings for tvN‘s 2049 demographic were an average of 2.0% nationwide, a peak of 2.6%, an average of 1.9% in the metropolitan area, and a peak of 2.3%. (Paid platform, Nielsen Korea)

On this day, Won-kyung (played by Cha Joo-young) and Lee Bang-won (played by Lee Hyun-wook) ultimately lost their youngest son, Prince Seongnyeong. To Won-gyeong, Seong-nyeong was a prince sent by heaven to keep her from being separated from her husband. She was overcome with indescribable sorrow at the death of her son whom she had loved so much. What frustrated Lee Bang-won even more was Crown Prince Yangnyeong. When all the brothers and sisters paid their last respects to Seong-nyeong, only Yangnyeong, who had gone hunting, did not show up. Lee Bang-won eventually cried, “Are you a human being after all this?” and despaired. Then, he faced the inevitable controversy over the qualifications of the crown prince.

Yangnyeong, who could not let go of the crown prince’s bond to the end, assured his father, “I will not hold a grudge just because he has been dethroned. When my younger brother ascends to the throne, I will be his loyal subject,” and that there would be no fighting between the brothers. He followed Won-gyeong’s teachings to never lose the dignity of the eldest son and crown prince. Chungnyeong promised firmly, “I will become a king who puts the people first, who fears that if the king does not practice good manners, the people will raise a hammer.” Yi Bang-won deposed Yangnyeong and passed the throne to Chungnyeong. Later, he became King Sejong (played by Lee Jun-young), who brought peace to Joseon. Sejong implemented policies for the people’s livelihood, such as relief laws and the production of military equipment, and took care of Won-gyeong‘s remaining family according to Yi Bang-won’s wishes.


In the second year of King Sejong‘s reign, Won-gyeong and Yi Bang-won, who came down from the back of the tiger they were riding, loved passionately, dreamed of a just cause together, and shared the time they spent fighting fiercely together. “You worked hard as a king” to his wife Won-gyeong, “I came this far because of you”, but even these two could not stop the passage of time. Won-gyeong’s condition worsened due to malaria. She confessed her deepening love to Bang-won, saying, “Even if you hadn‘t become king and queen, if you were by my side, I would have been completely happy my whole life.” and consoled her husband, who blamed himself for making this happen.

Bang-won begged his son, who had become king, “I want to treat him like a true hero of this dynasty.” In response, King Sejong personally carried Won-gyeong on his back and escorted him to the palace. He filled his sorrow with his last dance for his mother. Won-gyeong looked at this happily and met his last moment.

And the one who left behind ‘Won-gyeong’ was actor Cha Joo-young. The fact that the actor Cha Joo-young, who has an urban image, can fully play her role in the historical drama genre is a big part of ‘Wonkyung’. ‘Wonkyung’ was criticized for its somewhat provocative scenes, but it is receiving good reviews for completing the rediscovery of Cha Joo-young.

Hong Se-young, Donga.com Reporter projecthong@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.