Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Mu-yeol, Ji Chang-wook
A new sageuk is in the works over at TVING about an unusual succession story and the woman at the center of it all. Taking place in Goguryeo, eponymous Queen Woo — played by Jeon Jong-seo (Money Heist: Korea) — loses her husband and gets caught in the middle of a fierce power struggle amongst the princes and the five tribes. She only has twenty-four hours to create a new king or else fall from grace, putting herself as well as her family in danger.
Queen Woo Hee has both brains and beauty, but due to her lowly background, she holds no power as the king’s wife. The only person she can trust within these desolate palace walls is her husband, King Go Nam-mu, played by Ji Chang-wook (If You Wish Upon Me). Posthumously known as King Gogukcheon of Goguryeo, Go Nam-mu is deemed the perfect ruler who possesses both dignity and benevolence fitting of his position. However, a crisis befalls him, and his absence brings bloodshed to the kingdom.
Kim Mu-yeol (Trolley) plays Prime Minister Eul Pa-so who, despite his parentage, rises in rank and becomes the king’s trusted advisor. Though he achieved many things, his heart still desires more, and he finds himself struggling between his loyalty to the king and his thirst for power.
Playing the queen’s sister Woo Sun is Jung Yumi (Celebrity). Though considered the most beautiful, she loses the position of queen to her younger sister, and enters the court to serve her while trying to reclaim her destiny.
Stepping into the antagonist role is Lee Soo-hyuk (Tomorrow) as Prince Go Bal-ki. Violent and vulgar, Go Bal-ki’s ambitions win over his fears of his older brother, and he vies for the throne as a candidate.
In contrast, Park Ji-hwan (Family) plays the head of the royal guard Mu Gol. A master of all weapons, Mu Gol served in the war alongside Go Nam-mu and swears fealty to the king.
Based on historical figures, the era of Queen Woo depicts a rare case of levirate marriage, the practice where a widow marries her deceased husband’s younger brother to preserve the family lineage. It will be interesting to see how the show will handle this premise and portray Queen Woo’s authority and independence.
Directed by Jung Se-gyo (Oh! My Gran) and written by Lee Byeong-hak, Queen Woo is slated to be released sometime next year on TVING.
Jung Yumi, Lee Soo-hyuk, Park Ji-hwan