The Queen Who Crowns episodes 3 & 4 recaps: Does Taejong survive his father's attack?

tvN's historical drama The Queen Who Crowns (Korean: 원경) released episodes 3 and 4 on January 13 and 14. Airing every Monday and Tuesday, the series stars Cha Joo-young, Lee Hyun-wook, Lee Yi-dam, and Lee Si-a. It is also accessible on TVING and Viki.

Set during the early Joseon dynasty, The Queen Who Crowns chronicles the life of Queen Wongyeong (Cha Joo-young), originally Lady Min, who becomes the wife of Yi Bang-won (Lee Hyun-wook), later known as King Taejong, the fifth son of King Taejo.

Lady Min plays a pivotal role in Yi Bang-won's ascent to the throne. However, their relationship begins to unravel after he takes concubines. The strain deepens when King Taejong undermines Queen Wongyeong and her family to secure his reign.

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The Queen Who Crowns episodes 3 & 4 recaps: Betrayals, power struggles, and a shocking act of vengeance

Episode 3 of The Queen Who Crowns begins where episode 2 of The Queen Who Crowns ends, with Yi Seong-gye, the father of King Taejong, wielding a metal-spiked mace and attacking him. As the weapon comes hurtling toward Taejong, Queen Wongyeong intervenes, shielding him and taking the blow herself.

She is wounded, and the attack ignites chaos. Soldiers from both sides-those loyal to Taejong and those aligned with Yi Seong-gye-clash in a bloodbath. Taejong's guards attempt to arrest Yi Seong-gye, but Taejong rises and commands them to stop.

Despite this, Yi Seong-gye refuses to acknowledge Taejong as king, demanding his death. Wongyeong, wounded but resolute, reminds him of his duty to the people. Ultimately, Yi Seong-gye is placed under house arrest.

After this the court doctors tend to Queen Wongyeong's injuries. After they leave, Taejong questions her about how she knew of the impending attack. Wongyeong reveals that she discovered it by chance.

Then in this episode of The Queen Who Crowns, Taejong interrogates his arrested confidants, who, under torture, confess that Yi Seong-gye masterminded the plot.

The plan was to overthrow Taejong using the central army, seize the palace, and crown Bang-gwa, Yi Seong-gye's eldest sibling.

Devastated by the betrayal, Taejong visits Yi Seong-gve and vows to make him witness his reign. Later, Taejong seeks solace from Young-sil, who sends away the maids and guards, allowing the king to grieve under her protection.

The next day in court, Taejong put the blame Wongyeong for the rift with Yi Seong-gye and declares her removal as queen. Furious, Wongyeong's brothers go to her, claiming they were instrumental in making Taejong king.

Wongyeong reminds them of the mace's potential threat to her child, the crown prince, had Yi Seong-gye succeeded to kill Taejong. She advises her brothers to win Yi Bang-gwa's favor, as he commands significant control over the country's three armies.

Later in this episode of The Queen Who Crowns, Taejong visits Wongyeong and accuses her of breaking the law by employing a spy and warns her to stop interfering in his affairs.

Wongyeong counters by questioning his actions against Yi Seong-gye's chaos and urges him to consider the implications if Yi Seong-gye's forces prevail. This argument deepens their divide.

Simultaneously, Yi Seong-gye's loyalists and the late crown prince's supporters gather to plan an uprising and crown Yi Bang-gwa. Their secret meeting is overheard by Wongyeong's spy.

Yi Seong-gye's aide then bribes Young-sil's maid with an expensive gold ring to deliver a letter to Yi Bang-gwa.

At the palace, Chae-ryeong repeatedly visits Wongyeong, reaffirming her loyalty as a servant. One night, Taejong questions Chae-ryeong about Wongyeong's meeting with her brothers.

Chae-ryeong claims ignorance but vows loyalty to Taejong. However, it is revealed that this is part of Wongyeong's plan, and Chae-ryeong is acting on her orders.

An envoy from the Ming dynasty announces a visit, creating tension as the queen traditionally welcomes such envoys. The court hesitates, given Taejong's declaration to dismiss Wongyeong.

Additionally, the Ming king, embroiled in war, demands horses from Joseon, which could lead to increased Ming control on Joseon.

To navigate this crisis, Yi Seong-gye's presence is deemed essential, as the envoy is a close friend of his. Taejong orders Wongyeong to welcome the envoy and also to convince Seong-gye to participate in welcoming the Ming.

Wongyeong approaches Yi Seong-gye, urging him to join them for the envoy's visit. But, Yi Seong-gye mocks her, accusing her of treating the kingdom as her family's domain.

Then Taejong arrives, but Yi Seong-gye remains defiant, demanding his death. Episode 3 of The Queen Who Crowns ends here.

Episode 4 of The Queen Who Crowns begins with Yi Seong-gye accusing Taejong of ruling for corrupt ministers rather than the people. He advises Taejong to sever ties with those exploiting their connection to him, implicitly referring to Wongyeong.

However, he agrees to meet the envoy for the country's benefit and departs.

In the palace, a royal consummation date is set, and both the king and queen reluctantly comply, prioritizing tradition and the people. During the process, Taejong instructs the court lady supervising the ritual to ensure it is completed properly.

Enraged by this intrusion, Wongyeong storms out, ending the ritual. Taejong orders that no further consummation ceremonies be planned.

The next day, Wongyeong's brother informs her of a plot by Yi Seong-gye's army to free him during his journey to the palace for the envoy's visit. Wongyeong brings this to Taejong's attention, taking Chae-ryeong with her.

After Wongyeong tells Taejong about the ploy, Chae-ryeong points out the expensive gold ring seen on Young-sil's maid, linking her to the plot.

The implicated maid, along with Yi Bang-gwa's maid who Young-sil's maid has given the letter to pass on to, are captured and tortured. Taejong's men raid Yi Bang-gwa's residence, discovering a letter from the three armies urging him to join their mission to kill Taejong.

Later in this episode of The Queen Who Crowns, under Taejong's orders, Wongyeong escorts Yi Seong-gye to the palace. As predicted, Yi Seong-gye's army ambushes them, but Taejong's forces counterattack, killing the attackers and arresting their leaders.

At this moment, Yi Bang-gwa arrives and declares his loyalty to Taejong, pledging to prevent further bloodshed. Yi Seong-gye, devastated by his son's betrayal, is left furious.

Taejong meanwhile publicly displays the severed heads of the maids involved in the conspiracy, further intimidating Yi Seong-gye's men and coarse them to join him.

Back at the palace, rumors of Young-sil's maid's betrayal spread, inciting scholars to demand Young-sil's execution.

Terrified, Young-sil seeks advice from Chae-ryeong, who suggests pleading with Wongyeong. Desperate to protect her child, Young-sil visits Wongyeong to beg for her life.

Simultaneously, Taejong, distressed by the scholars' demands, visits Wongyeong. He highlights her father's influence among the scholars and admits he cannot stop sentencing Young-sil to death despite being king if the scholars keep demanding.

He confesses Young-sil has been a source of the only comfort to him and asks for Wongyeong's help to save her. Furious, Wongyeong demands that Taejong beg her to save the woman he loves.

Enraged and her asking the King to beg, Taejong retaliates by stabbing Young-sil in the stomach. Episode 4 of The Queen Who Crowns ends here.

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The Queen Who Crowns continues with episodes 5 and 6, scheduled to broadcast on tvN on January 20 and 21 at 8:50 pm KST. Viewers can also stream the episodes on TVING and Viki.