On February 20, OSEN reported that budget issues led to a nude scene in “The Queen Who Crowns,” but the drama’s depth and value extend far beyond this early controversy.
Cha Joo-young’s Outstanding Performance
Cha Joo-young’s performance as Queen Wonkyeong captivated audiences, even prompting reactions like, “Is this really the same actress who played Hye-jeong in ‘The Glory?'” While the drama’s rich storytelling and palace intrigue kept viewers engaged, its focus on Won-kyeong led to criticism that King Tae-jong was portrayed as weak. However, “The Queen Who Crowns” adds depth and imagination to his historical role and relationship with Wonkyeong.
Regarding the unintended bed scene, Cha Joo-young and Lee Hyun-wook stated, “We only found out when we watched the broadcast,” and “There were some communication issues,” but emphasized their respect for the production team’s efforts.
Industry insiders also noted, “Although the nudity became a talking point, both lead and supporting actors were deeply dedicated to the project,” and stressed that the bed scene “only appeared in the early episodes… about half of the 12-episode series.”
Balancing Creative Vision and Financial Realities
The budget redistribution issue in drama production is not unique to “The Queen Who Crowns” or CJ ENM. It is an industry-wide practice. Many broadcasters and platforms negotiate funding agreements based on financial incentives rather than exclusivity, leading to shifts in production strategies. In this case, budget constraints resulted in the addition of a nude scene, highlighting the increasing financial pressures shaping creative decisions.
What once seemed like a virtuous cycle, securing more funding to enhance production quality, has become a survival strategy in a struggling economy. Large corporations like CJ ENM can leverage economies of scale, but independent production companies often find themselves at the mercy of platform approvals and financial backers.
While it is easy to blame corporations for pushing “19+ content” or assume the production team deliberately inserted nudity for attention, the reality is more complex. Regardless of budget size, using the human body as a financial bargaining chip is a troubling trend.
Moreover, Korean audiences today do not passively accept nude scenes just because of a “19+” rating. The shifting dynamics of global OTT deals often lead to content being altered or even shelved indefinitely. To prevent such external pressures from overriding creative intent, there needs to be more strategic and transparent planning from the early stages of production.
Ultimately, “The Queen Who Crowns” is a drama well worth watching, demonstrating that a powerful story, strong performances, and rich historical depth can shine through, even amid the nudity controversy.