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tvN’s new historical drama The Queen Who Crowns (Korean: 원경) premiered episodes 1 and 2 on January 6 and 7 at 8:50 pm KST and airs every Monday and Tuesday. Starring Cha Joo-young, Lee Hyun-wook, Lee Yi-dam, and Lee Si-a, it is also available on TVING and Viki.
Set during the rise of the Joseon dynasty The Queen Who Crowns, the story follows Queen Wongyeong (Cha Joo-young), born Lady Min, who marries Yi Bang-won aka King Taejong (Lee Hyun-wook), the fifth son of King Taejo.
As Yi Bang-won fights to claim the throne, Lady Min supports him, eventually helping him become King Taejong. Their relationship falters when King Taejong takes concubines, and tensions rise further as he suppresses Queen Wongyeong and her family to solidify his rule.
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The Queen Who Crowns episodes 1 and 2 recaps: Power struggles, betrayals, and shocking confrontations
Episode 1 of The Queen Who Crowns begins with the coronation of Queen Wongyeong. This happens after King Taejong ascends the throne of Korea. The coronation hall is filled with court officials loudly hailing Queen Wongyeong and praying for her long life.
King Taejong is the fifth son of King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty. Taejo originally named his second son, Yi Bang-gwa, as his successor and crown prince. However, Taejong rebelled against his father’s decision.
He assassinated his brothers to claim the throne. Queen Wongyeong played the role of the kingmaker in his rise, leveraging her powerful family.
After the coronation, the King and Queen surprise their court by performing a dance together. They later consummate their union. When court ladies try to explain the royal protocol for consummation, the royals happily ignore them.
The next day in this episode of The Queen Who Crowns , the celebrations continue in the court. The King and Queen sit side by side, receiving praise from parliament members. Wongyeong’s brother, proud of her achievement, praises her vociferously.
He says that if she were a man, she would have become king. This offends Taejong and his officials. Despite her brother's insistence that he was joking, Taejong expresses his anger. Wongyeong intervenes and reprimands her brother.
Outside the palace, rumors spread about Taejong's betrayal and murder of his brother. A shaman-spy working for the Queen overhears these whispers and informs her brother.
Meanwhile in this episode of The Queen Who Crowns , a woman named Young-sil arrives at the palace with her son and maid. Denied entry, she sends a message, claiming her son is Taejong’s illegitimate child and, therefore, a prince.
Taejong hears the news and informs Wongyeong. Shocked but composed, she assures him she will handle the matter. It is revealed that Young-sil once served Wongyeong closely.
Elsewhere in this episode of The Queen Who Crowns , Taejo, now titleless Lee Seong-kye and living in a temple, mourns his second son's death. He vows to make Taejong’s reign a living hell.
Wongyeong tries to win his favor by sending him a rare gift of grapes. Taejo, however, rejects the gift. Using the person who delivered it, he sends an assassin to kill Taejong. The attempt fails, but Taejong recognizes the assassin as one of Taejo’s men before the man escapes.
Furious, Taejong captures and interrogates the person, who confesses under torture. Before the person can finish his testimony, Taejong decapitates him in anger.
Taejong becomes increasingly paranoid. He recalls the coronation, where Wongyeong received louder cheers than him, and her brother’s remarks. Feeling humiliated, he orders Young-sil and her son to be brought into the palace.
Wongyeong, hearing about this ,confronts him, reminding him she had promised to handle the matter. Taejong asserts his authority, stating he is the king and owes her no explanations.
Heartbroken, Wongyeong retreats and refuses to participate in the astrologically scheduled consummation ceremony. However, she reluctantly agrees after her court ladies plead, fearing repercussions.
That night, Wongyeong confronts Taejong again. She accuses him of humiliating her by bringing Young-sil into the palace. Taejong retorts, blaming her family for his feelings of humiliation when they had tried to help him to gain his throne.
He admits he has chosen Young-sil to retaliate against her. Stunned, Wongyeong watches him leave in anger.
Later in this episode of The Queen Who Crowns , Taejong summons Wongyeong’s handmaiden, Chae-ryeong. This girl, once saved by Wongyeong, is devoted to her. Despite her protests, Chae-ryeong is prepared for Taejong.
Wongyeong, on her way to the King’s quarters, learns of this and is devastated. Episode 1 of The Queen Who Crowns ends on this note.
Episode 2 of The Queen Who Crowns picks up with Taejong coercing Chae-ryeong. As court ladies prepare her for him, Chae-ryeong begs to speak with Wongyeong. They refuse, reminding her that all women in the palace belong to the King.
The next day, Wongyeong orders her ladies to care for Chae-ryeong. She announces that Chae-ryeong, now favored by the King, is no longer her servant but a court lady.
Wongyeong ensures no one undermines her due to her slave origins. Later, Chae-ryeong begs Wongyeong for forgiveness, but Wongyeong dismisses her saying it isn't her fault but the one who has forced her.
Young-sil and her son enter the palace. Wongyeong welcomes the boy as a prince and encourages him to focus on his studies. Young-sil, however, asserts her position, surprising Wongyeong. That night, Young-sil spends time with Taejong, and Wongyeong hears of it.
Meanwhile, Taejo secretly builds an army. Taejong refuses to confront his father militarily, despite Wongyeong’s brother’s insistence.
Taejong grows furious at his in-laws' interference. Wongyeong advises her brothers to resign from their court positions. They obey, claiming health reasons, which shocks Taejong.
Later in this episode of The Queen Who Crowns Wongyeong visits the princes’ school and finds Young-sil’s son struggling. She punishes him with a cane for his tantrum.
Furious, Young-sil confronts Wongyeong and mocks her for having a 'suffocating' and strained relationship with Taejong. Hearing this, Wongyeong slaps Young-sil twice in anger.
The next day, Young-sil manipulates Chae-ryeong, urging her to side with her against Wongyeong. Chae-ryeong, conflicted, pleads with Wongyeong to take her back as a servant. Wongyeong coldly dismisses her, leaving Chae-ryeong heartbroken and thinking the queen has abandoned her.
That night, Young-sil visits Taejong despite her servant advising against it. Taejong notices the mark on her cheek and asks about it.
Young-sil denies that the mark is from the queen, feigning it is a private matter between women. Her vague response frustrates Taejong further.
Later that night, Chae-ryeong meets with the king's court lady and bribes her a hair clip gifted by the queen years ago as. Chae-ryeong begs the court lady to create opportunities for her to meet the king hoping this will help her survive in the palace.
The next day, Taejong summons both court ladies to explain the marks on Young-sil's cheek. The king's court lady tells him that Chae-ryeong might know something. That night, Taejong visits Chae-ryeong.
She requests him to visit her twice a month in exchange for information of the queen and any discussions between the her with her brothers.
In the mean time, Taejo invites Taejong to a temple ceremony to offer a metal bell. Despite suspicions, Taejong agrees to attend while Wongyeong secretly investigates the bell.
On the day of the ceremony, Wongyeong apologizes to Taejong for slapping Young-sil, but he says nothing.
At the temple, At the temple, Lee Seong-kye tells the monks he must act for the people. Taejong and Wongyeong arrive and thank him for the invitation. Meanwhile, the shaman-spy learns a shocking truth about the ball and informs Wongyeong.
Discovering it holds something dangerous she rushes to the courtyard as Taejo unveils a spiked metal ball weapon. Wongyeong shouts for Lee Seong-kye to stop.
Undeterred, he turns to Taejong, wielding it fiercely, letting out a scream, poised to attack. The episode 2 of The Queen Who Crowns ends with this dramatic confrontation.
Episodes 3 and 4 of The Queen Who Crowns are set to air on tvN on January 13 and 14 at 8:50 pm KST. They will also be available for streaming on TVING and Viki.
