The Refreshing Unconventionality of “Mr. Queen”

by Lee L. Dandoy

April 30, 2021

***In Korea (and for the majority of East Asia), last names go first and first names go last. I will use that order in my article.***

Directed by Yoon Seong-Sik and written by Park Kye-Ok and Choi A-Il, Mr. Queen (Korean: 철인왕후; RR: Cheorinwanghu; lit. Queen Cheorin) is a Korean fantasy-historical drama released on December 12, 2020 by tvN and produced by Studio Dragon, Crave Works, and YG Studioplex. It comically plays with Korean history to teach a lesson about corruption. You will experience cheesy and sensual romance, second-hand embarrassment, laughter, and suspense all throughout the drama.

In modern-day Seoul, South Korea, Jang Bong-Hwan (Choi Jin-Hyuk) has been working as the main chef for the Blue House, which is the president's residence, for a considerate amount of time, and is now falsely accused of poor performance. But after a fatal accident that almost led to his death, Jang Bong-Hwan’s soul is transported into the body of Queen Cheorin (played by Shin Hye-Sun) in the Josean era. .

As Jang maneuvers and adjusts his way through the palace in the Queen’s body, he gets himself involved in multiple accidents. He also strengthens the Queen’s romantic relationship with her husband, King Cheoljong (played by Kim Jung-Hyun).

Unknowingly, as he makes big changes during the Joseon dynasty, Jang Bong-Hwan also indirectly changes his course of life in the present, as he heavily rebels against the systemic corruption of the Korean royal government that controls Joseon Korea with the support and approval of the King (since he also was appointed by the powerful government officials of the Royal Court as a puppet king and was secretly plotting against them to cleanse the Royal Court from corruption from the beginning).

Deemed talented and versatile by K-Drama fanatics and critics, Shin Hye-Sun surprises her audience with her new image in Mr. Queen. With the soul of a man, she cleverly manipulates her body language and speech to match that of Jang Bong-Hwan because ultimately, Jang Bong-Hwan’s soul was in control of Queen Cheorin’s body for the majority of the drama; even with subtle movements and robust greetings, Shin Hye-Sun delivers her part of the drama.

Also a respected actor in the industry, Kim Jung-Hyun actively participates with the production of the drama to create a wholesome and cohesive atmosphere. He adds subtle details, like affectionately rubbing Queen Cheorin’s cheek when they’re intimately talking, to scenes that made them more heart-warming and convincing. His detailed acting greatly compliments Shin Hye-Sun’s and with that, they’ve created a strong dynamic between their characters; you would think that they were best friends or lovers in real life.

Their interactions, executed by their respective actors, is amplified even more through dialogue that reveals how their relationship evolves throughout the drama, like how they casually make sarcastic remarks around each other. Even with the interactions of side characters, like Court Lady Choi (played by Cha Chung-Hwa) and Hong Yeon (played by Chae Seo-Eun), they significantly emphasize and firmly establish their roles as one of the memorable characters in the drama through dialogue, especially during scenes with the Queen.

All things considered, Mr. Queen deserves a chance to be watched, even if you’re not a fan of K-Dramas or are unfamiliar with Korean history. Just like what Bong Joon-Ho, the director of Parasite, said during his speech at the Oscars, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.”

The drama has twenty episodes with two additional thirty-minute specials at the end; however, don't underestimate the number of episodes because each one of them is about one-hour long. Definitely five stars out of five!