Cha Joo-young’s Personality Is Like Queen Wongyeong “It’s Not Just About Exposing Chest”
tvN x TVING’s original drama “The Queen Who Crowns” (directed by Kim Sang-ho, written by Lee Young-mi, produced by Studio Dragon and JS Pictures) has quickly become a hit since its premiere, captivating viewers with strong ratings and buzz. At the heart of this phenomenon is Cha Joo-young’s remarkable performance, which has played a key role in creating the “The Queen Who Crowns” craze. Her portrayal of a queen armed with natural dignity and charisma, coupled with the complex love-hate relationship with her husband King Taejong Lee Bang-won (Lee Hyun-wook), delivers thrilling catharsis and entertainment in every scene. Viewers are raving with comments like, “Starting today, I’m a ‘The Queen Who Crowns’ fan”, “I can’t imagine ‘The Queen Who Crowns’ without Cha Joo-young” and “She is Wongyeong.”
This marks Cha Joo-young’s first historical drama, and her transformation has exceeded the high expectations that followed her casting. With her elegant poise, calm gaze, confident expressions and trustworthy voice, she vividly brings the character Wongyeong to life, mesmerizing viewers from the first moment. Notably, she captures the multifaceted nature of Wongyeong—a queen who maintains royal order and demonstrates exceptional political acumen while also wrestling with personal conflicts as a wife hurt by her husband and torn by his relationships with her attendants Chae-ryeong (Lee Yi-dam) and Yeong-sil (Lee Si-a). This complex and human portrayal has made viewers say, “I find myself rooting for Wongyeong without even realizing it.”
On January 14th, ahead of the day’s broadcast, still cuts were released showing Wongyeong wielding a sword with a sorrowful expression, reflecting her inner turmoil. Once lovers who practiced swordsmanship together during the late Goryeo era, Wongyeong and Bang-won are now king and queen. The still cuts depict Wongyeong training alone, grappling with her chaotic emotions. In the preview for Episode 4, Wongyeong confronts Bang-won, asking, “Is it all about following and obeying without question?” This builds anticipation for how Wongyeong will navigate the conflicts with her husband, who has consistently emphasized their relationship as sovereign and subject.
The production team shared, “Cha Joo-young, returning to the small screen with ‘The Queen Who Crowns’, has received an outpouring of praise from viewers since the first episode. The still cuts released today highlight her dedication, as she diligently practiced martial arts during filming to infuse her performance with precision and depth. We hope you’ll tune in to Episode 4 tonight to see what unfolds for Wongyeong as discussions about her deposition are halted and how her conflict with Bang-won evolves.”
Episode 4 of tvN x TVING’s original drama “The Queen Who Crowns” will air tonight (January 14th) at 8:50 PM on tvN. Episodes 3 and 4 were pre-released on TVING on January 13th and are available for simultaneous viewing.
