The K-drama Queen Woo has quickly captured the attention of the audience as a work full of royal intrigue, passion, and power struggles.
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The second season of the show, which premiered on September 12 on TVing, has caused confusion for the viewers as to whether the character of Queen Woo is based on historical facts.
The answer to this question is “yes.” The character of Queen Woo, also known as Queen U, comes from the historical world and has roots in the rich history of Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.
The Real Queen U: A Powerful Woman in a Man’s World
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While the show may have exaggerated the events of the life of Queen U, the basis of the storyline corresponds to history.
Queen U was one of the members of the U clan and was married to King Gogukcheon, who also found himself under the name Go Nammu, in 180 AD.
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The historical figure’s life is a one-of-a-kind story that reflects the characteristics of a person with the political intellect needed to survive in a man’s world. The king unexpectedly died in 197 AD, and the queen found herself at a time when it was necessary to determine the right to receive the throne.
As available evidence from historical data, the queen began to comprehend the events taking place in the Goguryeo court.
SEE: Queen Woo’ Episode 8 Ending Explained: Fans Disappointed Over Lack of Actual Battle – Season 2 Coming?
The throne did not necessarily go to the first son, as there was no direct heir of the deceased king, and many princes and barons of the court were contenders for the throne.
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Prince Balgi, King Gogukcheon’s brother, has shown the greatest desire to take the throne.
However, he was a rude man who did not have subtlety in politics, which Queen U did not like and alarm the queen since, with decades of experience, she realized that Yeonu, the brother of Balgi, was a person who was more fit for the throne.
A Calculated Move: The Fall of Prince Balgi
Queen U became an exceptional lady, inheriting the riches of nature. Her value should be assessed by the fact that she decided to revive the old custom recognized in Goguryeo, in an era of relationships filled with intrigue and constant internecine wars, where many people’s blood was spilled. The right to marry the widow of the king was exclusively for his brother. But now more than ever, new laws have appeared..
The position of the Great Queen allowed her to fulfill her wish, and she married the new head of the royal household, Sansang. Since she was an important person, with a dash, she became the first wife of the new monarch. The Great Queen carried through her influence and the title of the ruler’s official wife.
The Great Queen of Goguryeo was known for her wisdom and strategic thinking. She set a glorious example for future generations. The story highlights the brightness, eminence, and boldness of Queen U. Her legacy is preserved through her notes on elegant plates and other belongings.”
A Remarkable Remarriage and Queen U’s Legacy
Queen U was known for many things, but one of the most notable was her second marriage. It symbolizes the unusual practice of levirate marriage that was permissible in Goguryeo and later adopted as customary law.
In case of a husband’s death, a widow may be taken in marriage by her brothers-in-law. Her second marriage not only underlines the position of the Great Queen but it was also a savvy move. Thanks to this unique marriage, she remained standing as queen. In fact, the queen’ uncle was crowned her consort, and this unusual arrangement was in place for half a decade. Many of these events, however, required U to wield a lot of.
The right to marry the widow of the king was power. In contrast, she encountered frustration in getting along with her new husband or the crown prince, as indicated in the historical text.
The appeal of Queen Woo seems to come from its rootedness and distance from historical fact, allowing for the transformative representation of a woman whose existence spans both dramatic fiction and tangible history.
In particular, the interest in Queen U’s relationships with the princes and her reliance on the partnership between her and her dead husband’s brothers suggests the type of bond those around her had once formed and wished to forge with her. Hence, the reason why the princes found Queen Woo so desirable was the princes hoped to take advantage of her inside knowledge of palace politics and negotiations. They also saw a real symbol of successful adeptness in a man’s world, wherein Woo assuming the throne was a bold statement and professional declaration.
Cast and where to watch
Queen Woo features an utterly spectacular cast, including Jun Jong Seo as Queen Woo, Ji Chang Wook as King Gogukcheon and Lee Soo Hyuk as Prince Balgi. The drama is available for watching on tvN and is also streaming on Viu and Paramount+.
A historical K-drama with real roots
The questions about who Queen U was as a person is also deeply connected to why she was so missed and wanted by the princes. Viewers are watching reimagined characters but asking questions based on a very real and transformative experience of a queen who thrived as a royal force in this dynasty of Goguryeo.
SEE: ‘Queen Woo’: Did Ji Chang Wook and Jung Yu Mi Use Body Doubles For Their Explicit Scenes?
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Rovelyn Barba
