The Glory actress Cha Joo-young impresses audience with her bold scenes in The Queen Who Crowns

South Korean actress Cha Joo-young garnered significant attention for her daring portrayal in the historical drama, The Queen Who Crowns, which premiered on January 6, 2025. Her explicit scenes impressed the global audience, highlighting her commitment to the role and the series' mature thematic elements.

Episode 1 of The Queen Who Crowns consisted of a graphic bed scene between Cha Joo-young and Lee Hyun-wook. The Glory famed actress was seen topless in the scenario as she made love to her husband—King Taejong. It's crucial to remember that, in contrast to Western productions, such daring sequences are uncommon in the Korean entertainment business.

Previously, tvN's historical K-drama, Queen Woo, starring Ji Chang-wook and Jeon Jong-seo, faced criticism for similar bold scenes between the leads. Comparatively, Cha Joo-young's bold scenes from The Queen Who Crowns impressed viewers with elegant direction and the importance of the scene in the ongoing story.

Due to the bold NSFW scene from episode 1, the drama got off to a great start with an average rating of 5.1% and a peak rating of 5.329% in the Seoul metropolitan region for its debut episode.

According to Nielsen Korea, the show had the highest national peak of any cable or general programming channel for that period, at 5.329%. On January 9, 2025, Xports News reported that episode 2 (released on January 7) had a viewership rating of 6.7%.

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The Queen Who Crowns: Plot and where to watch

The Queen Who Crowns is a historical drama set during the early Joseon Dynasty, focusing on the life of Queen Wongyeong, born Lady Min of the Yeoheung Min clan. Coming from a prestigious family, she marries Lee Bang-won, later known as King Taejong, the fifth son of King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty.

The narrative delves into Lady Min's political acumen and her instrumental role in her husband's ascent to the throne. Her journey from a supportive consort to a powerful queen is marked by political intrigue, personal sacrifices, and the complexities of royal court life.

As of the latest episodes, the drama has depicted Queen Wongyeong aka Lady Min's strategic maneuvers to secure her husband's position amid court rivalries and familial conflicts. Her relationship with King Taejong becomes strained as he takes multiple concubines, leading to tensions that challenge her authority and influence within the palace.

The Queen Who Crowns explores the queen's balance between personal struggles and royal duties, highlighting her resilience and political skill. The series streams on TVING every Monday at 14:00 (KST) with two versions: a 19+ version with explicit content and a 15+ version with edited scenes for a wider audience.

Additionally, the drama airs on tvN, with episodes scheduled every Monday and Tuesday at 20:50 (KST). International viewers can access the series through platforms like Viki, which provides subtitles in multiple languages for a global audience.

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Cha Joo-young, born on June 5, 1990, is a South Korean actress recognized for her versatility and depth in various television dramas. She gained prominence through her role in the Netflix series The Glory, where she portrayed Choi Hye-jeong, a flight attendant entangled in complex relationships and moral dilemmas.

In The Glory, Cha Joo-young portrayed Choi Hye-jeong, a flight attendant who becomes entangled in a web of revenge orchestrated by the protagonist, Moon Dong-eun, played by Song Hye-kyo. The series centered on Dong-eun's meticulous plan to exact vengeance on her high school bullies, with Hye-jeong being one of the key figures from her traumatic past.