Actors Jeon Jong-seo and Kim Mu-yeol have undergone dramatic transformations for their roles in the upcoming series Queen Woo.
Jeon Jong-seo takes on her first historical drama, while Kim Mu-yeol portrays a cold, calculating strategist. The series promises intense action set within a tight 24-hour timeframe.
Director Jung Se-gyo expressed his excitement, stating, "The first priority was fun, and the second was also fun. The series offers impactful scenes and showcases the actors' transformations, which will be a major draw."
Queen Woo is a historical action drama that follows the story of Queen Woo, who becomes the target of rival princes and five powerful tribes following the sudden death of the king. The series focuses on the race to crown a new king within 24 hours.
The series blends fact and fiction, inspired by the story of Queen Woo, who ascended to the throne twice. The show adds imaginative elements to portray a woman who carves out her destiny.
Director Jung began writing the script before working as an assistant director on the film War of the Arrows (2011). He started with questions about why Queen Woo became queen twice and why King Gogukcheon died.
Jung shared, "Many questions centered around Queen Woo. The series focuses on whether she can return to the palace through levirate marriage. Please look forward to the choices she makes in each episode."
Jeon Jong-seo plays Queen Woo, a queen of Goguryeo whose life is endangered by the king's death. To survive, she decides to marry the king's brother and become queen once again. The character is strong and independent, diving into the power struggles between the tribes and stepping outside the palace to choose the next king.
Jeon Jong-seo, who has often portrayed independent women, takes on her first historical drama with this role. Director Jung was intrigued by this and handed her the script with curiosity about how she would approach the historical tone.
Jeon shared, "My late father read the script and strongly encouraged me to take on the role. During the first shoot, I spoke in my usual slow and relaxed manner, but I was shocked when I saw the final product."
"I initially thought I should just be myself, but when I saw the result, it felt like I was speaking a different language. I sought a lot of advice from my senior colleagues and worked on finding a balance between the historical tone and my natural speech."
Kim Mu-yeol portrays Eul Paso, a character who is both a scholar and a warrior, serving as the head of the Goguryeo council and the highest-ranking official. Eul Paso is a master strategist who supports Queen Woo and becomes her strongest ally. He is a complex figure, oscillating between a mysterious politician and a loyal servant of the kingdom.
Kim explained, "Eul Paso is a cold and rational thinker who survives in the dangerous palace by using his abilities to protect the queen." Director Jung, who previously worked with Kim on War of the Arrows, praised his performance, saying, "He was incredibly dedicated on set, and his portrayal of Eul Paso was astonishing. Audiences will see a whole new side of him."
Kim Mu-yeol added, "The busy movements within the palace after the king's death required me to maintain a constant level of tension. The challenge of keeping that tension as an actor was what drew me to this role."
Jung Yoo-mi plays Woo Soon, Queen Woo's sister and a maid who follows her into the palace. Despite entering the palace to support her sister, Woo Soon harbors her own ambition to become queen.
Director Jung described Woo Soon as the most difficult character to portray, saying, "She's ambitious, but at times she comes across as frustrating. Finding the right balance for her character was tricky. I was thrilled when Jung Yoo-mi agreed to take on the role."
Jung Yoo-mi, who is appearing in her eighth historical drama, said, "The 24-hour, eight-part structure of the story intrigued me. There is an early scene with some exposure, which made me feel a bit uneasy, but I believed it was necessary to make Woo Soon impactful, so I worked hard on it."
Lee Soo-hyuk plays Go Bal-gi, the third prince and a contender for the throne. When the opportunity arises, he reveals his long-suppressed ambition out of fear of his brothers.
Director Jung originally offered him a different role but praised Lee's dedication to the character, saying, "He came back with a detailed analysis of why he should play Go Bal-gi and perfectly embodied the role as a 'sexy villain.'"
During the event, Jeon Jong-seo addressed past allegations of school violence, stating, "If the allegations were true, I wouldn't be able to stand before the public with confidence. I'm working on resolving this matter."
There were also concerns about historical accuracy, particularly with the costumes seen in early stills, which some believed could support China's Northeast Project. Director Jung clarified, "We didn't create these designs on our own. We consulted with professors and referenced Goguryeo-era murals, 'Samguk Sagi,' and the Gwanggaeto Stele."
The writer added, "Our primary concern was to reflect the identity of Goguryeo. You'll see that this has nothing to do with the Northeast Project."
Director Jung concluded by saying, "The first and second parts are both thrilling. We revised the script 90 times over three and a half years. I hope you enjoy both parts, and we have spin-offs and additional stories prepared if the show is successful."
Queen Woo will release Part 1 on August 29, with Part 2 following on September 12.
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