What we learned from Queen Woo so far…

What have we learned from Queen Woo so far? Well, let’s just say it’s been a royal pain in the neck. We’ve witnessed more backstabbing than a medieval jousting tournament, more scheming than a political convention, and more dramatic wardrobe changes than a reality TV star. But amidst all the chaos, we’ve also uncovered a few pearls of wisdom. Like, never trust a shaman who predicts your victory while simultaneously envisioning your demise. Or, always keep a spare crown handy, because you never know when a rival queen might try to steal yours. And most importantly, if you’re a queen, make sure your husband doesn’t have a penchant for dramatic exits. Trust us, it’s not good for business.

TL;DR

• Don’t trust appearances: Even the most seemingly loyal individuals can harbor hidden agendas.
• Power is a double-edged sword: While it can grant you influence and control, it can also make you a target for those seeking to overthrow you.
• Family can be your greatest asset or your biggest liability: Blood ties can be both a source of strength and a cause of division.

A Historical Soap Opera with Royal Intrigue, Power Plays, and Too Much… Everything?

Let’s face it, historical dramas are all the rage, and when they come packed with royal intrigue, power struggles, and a dash of romance, they’re hard to resist. But when we talk about Queen Woo, a Goguryeo drama centered on a resilient queen trying to hold onto her throne after her husband’s death—well, let’s just say the story had potential. Had being the operative word here.

So, what did we learn from Queen Woo so far? Quite a bit about scheming ministers, battle-hardened royalty, and… gratuitous nudity. Yes, you heard me right. While the drama aims to capture the complexity of palace life, it often veers into unnecessary territory that leaves us wondering, “Was that really necessary?”

Queen Woo: A Game of Thrones in Goguryeo?

Our story kicks off in the year 197, right smack on the battlefield. The king of Goguryeo, Go Nam-mu (played by Ji Chang-wook), is engaged in a brutal war to reclaim lost territories. He consults a shaman, Sabi (played by Oh Hanee), who predicts a victorious outcome but omits the minor detail of seeing his bloody corpse in her vision. Kind of a big deal to leave out, don’t you think?

As expected, Go Nam-mu pulls off an impressive victory, even managing to bring back the enemy general’s severed head as a souvenir. However, his injuries have ministers plotting behind his back, clearly not fans of his survival.

Meanwhile, back at the palace, Queen Woo Hee (Jeon Jong-seo) is not your average royal. She’s brilliant, can predict battle tactics like a seasoned general, and matches wits with Prime Minister Eul Pa-so (Kim Mu-yeol) in chess matches that carry more weight than you’d think. Chess, after all, is a metaphor for life in Queen Woo—strategizing, anticipating, and trying not to get dethroned.

But Wait, There’s a Love Triangle… and Chess?

Did I mention this trio goes way back? Go Nam-mu first met Woo Hee when she saved him from a street scammer, and Eul Pa-so was observing the whole spectacle. Fast forward a few years, and Woo Hee marries the king’s second son, stepping in for her sister who thought being queen was too much work. Queen by accident, battle strategist by necessity, and caught in the middle of court politics—Woo Hee is the one to watch.

But not everyone’s pleased with this unconventional trio. The court, filled with conniving ministers like West Minister Hae Dae-bu (Oh Dae-seok), disapproves of both Woo Hee’s lack of heirs and Eul Pa-so’s humble background. Seriously, they just can’t let people live.

Cue the Scheming and Poisoning

As palace intrigue goes, things take a turn for the worse when Woo Hee’s sister, Woo Sun (Jung Yumi), is manipulated into seducing Go Nam-mu by the shaman Sabi. Let’s just say that doesn’t go as planned. Instead, Sabi spikes Woo Sun’s drink, leading to a bizarre, deeply uncomfortable sequence where Woo Sun believes she’s with the king, but it’s Sabi who’s taking advantage of her. I mean, really?

Things escalate as Go Nam-mu, now aware of the forces against him, starts pushing Woo Hee away for her safety. He’s determined to protect her but goes about it in the most frustrating way possible—by engaging in over-the-top sexual antics to make her hate him. It’s like watching a royal meltdown in real-time. And just when you think things can’t get worse—poison strikes. Woo Hee’s enemies get their wish as Go Nam-mu collapses, leaving behind a dangerous power vacuum.

Levirate Marriage to the Rescue?

Now, Woo Hee is left to fend for herself. What’s a queen to do when her husband’s dead, and the throne’s up for grabs? Prime Minister Eul Pa-so suggests a levirate marriage—because who doesn’t want to marry their late husband’s younger brother to stay in power, right? Enter the third prince, Go Bal-ki (Lee Soo-hyuk), a cruel tyrant with a penchant for terrorizing commoners. Clearly, Woo Hee’s options are limited, but the show must go on. Her entourage sets out on a mission to bring Go Bal-ki to the palace, but things get bloody quickly when they discover his reign of terror.

Power Plays and Frustration: The Point of View

Let’s talk for a second about what really irks me about Queen Woo. On one hand, you have a powerful female protagonist with a sharp mind and unyielding will. On the other, you have every single supporting female character reduced to sexual objects. It’s as if the writers sat down and thought, “How can we make this show grittier? Oh, I know—add more nudity!” Sigh.

Look, I get it—sex sells. But does it have to be so… blatant? There are smarter ways to show power dynamics and control than throwing women into unnecessary sex scenes. Every female character except Woo Hee is introduced via a sexual encounter, and I can’t help but feel that the writers missed a huge opportunity to explore more meaningful ways of portraying these women.

The Missed Potential

And that’s the frustrating part—Queen Woo had so much potential. It’s got a stellar cast, including the always captivating Ji Chang-wook and Jeon Jong-seo. The political intrigue is juicy enough to keep us hooked. The historical setting of Goguryeo is one not often explored in dramas, which gives it an edge. And the relationship dynamics, especially between the Go brothers, are ripe for exploration.

Yet, instead of leaning into these strengths, the show chooses to rely on shock value. This approach may grab attention, but it comes at the cost of deeper, more nuanced storytelling.

Is There Hope for the Rest of the Series?

We leave the first half of the drama with plenty of cliffhangers—Sabi’s divination changes, now showing Woo Hee on the throne instead of Woo Sun, setting the stage for more twists and betrayals. There’s still a lot we haven’t seen from the remaining princes, especially Go Gye-soo (Jung Jae-kwang), who has thus far been the most loyal. Maybe there’s a sliver of hope that the show will shift gears and focus more on the complex political and emotional struggles rather than just shocking its audience.

But let’s be real. I’m wary. I’ll keep watching, but my faith in the storytellers has been shaken. There’s so much that could have been done to elevate Queen Woo into a true epic. I just hope they remember what made the show interesting in the first place: a powerful queen, navigating an impossible situation. Not all the unnecessary fluff.