Mr. Queen

Mr. Queen () is a 2020 South Korean television series based on the Chinese web series Go Princess Go. Directed by Yoon Sung-sik, it stars Shin Hye-sun as Queen Cheorin and Kim Jung-hyun as King Cheoljong. The drama is about Queen Cheorin finding herself with the soul of a modern-day man inside her body and King Cheoljong striving to be a king who helps his people.^[2][3] It aired on tvN every Saturday and Sunday at 21:00 (KST) from December 12, 2020, to February 14, 2021.^[4]

Despite its controversies, the series is the eleventh highest rated drama in Korean cable television history, with the last episode reaching a nationwide rating of 17.371% and garnering more than 4 million in viewership.^[5] It also set a record for tvN by achieving the 5th highest rating in the network's history.^[6]

Synopsis

In the modern age, Jang Bong-hwan (Choi Jin-hyuk) is a head chef who works at the Blue House. He is a womanizer with a free spirit. One day, he gets in trouble when a Chinese delegate takes out a fish hook after biting into food cooked by him. After a near-death experience and falling into a pool, he finds himself in the body of So-yong as Queen Cheorin (Shin Hye-sun) in the Joseon period.

King Cheoljong (Kim Jung-hyun), the reigning monarch, is a gentle and easy-going person. However, he is a king as a figurehead, while the true power is wielded by the late King Sunjo's widow, Queen Sunwon (Bae Jong-ok). Bong-hwan goes on a mission to win Queen Sunwon's favor by cooking for her, and to try to return to his body in modern Korea. However, Bong-hwan soon discovers that So-yong has a secret, while the King is not what he seems and has a dark and suspicious side to him.^{[7][unreliable source?]}

Cast

Main

• Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Queen Cheorin
  • Seo Eun-sol as young Kim So-yong

The Queen of Joseon who has the soul of a man in her body.^[8]

• Kim Jung-hyun as Yi Won-beom, King Cheoljong
  • Kim Kang-hoon as young Yi Won-beom

The 25th King of Joseon.

Supporting

People around Queen Cheorin

• Cha Chung-hwa as Court Lady Choi

A sanggung and Queen Cheorin's devoted lady-in-waiting.

• Chae Seo-eun as Hong-yeon

Queen Cheorin's loyal maid who served her since they were children.

People around King Cheoljong

• Yoo Min-kyu as Prince Yeongpyeong^[9]

Cheoljong's older half-brother who serves as his royal guard.

• Lee Jae-won as Hong Du-il / Hong Byeol-gam

Cheoljong's friend from his days on Ganghwa Island.

Andong Kim clan

• Bae Jong-ok as Grand Royal Queen Dowager Kim (Queen Sunwon)

The late King Sunjo's wife, who wields the true power in the country and, thus, relegates Cheoljong to being just a figurehead.

• Kim Tae-woo as Kim Jwa-geun

Queen Sunwon's younger brother and an extremely ambitious man.

• Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in

The adopted son of Kim Jwa-geun, thus making him Queen Sunwon's nephew and a cousin to Queen Cheorin.

• Jeon Bae-soo as Kim Mun-geun

Queen Cheorin's father.

• Yoo Young-jae as Kim Hwan^[10]

A bright young man who spent his days wandering around the palace, Hong Byeol-gam's friend and Kim Byeong-in's cousin.

• Song Min-hyung as Chief State Councillor Kim Byung-hak
• Kang Ji-hoo as Left State Councillor Kim Seok-geun
• Son Kwang-eop as Minister of Military Affairs Kim Chang-hyuk

Pungyang Jo clan

• Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Royal Noble Consort Ui (Jo Gwi-in)^[11]

Cheoljong's concubine and first love.

• Jo Yeon-hee as Royal Queen Dowager Jo (Queen Sinjeong)

The late Crown Prince Hyomyeong's only wife.

• Ko In-beom Right State Councillor Jo Man-hong
• Kim Kwang-sik as Minister of Personnel Jo Deok-mun
• Sung Min-soo as Royal Secretary Jo Dae-su

Jo Hwa-jin's father.

People in the Blue House

• Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan^[12]

An arrogant playboy and Blue House chef who is caught in a conspiracy and, after a near-death experience, he wakes up in Queen Cheorin's body.

• Lee Cheol-min as Director Han Pyo-jin / Han Shim-ong
• Kim Joon-won as Bu Seung-min

People in the Royal Kitchen

• Kim In-kwon as Royal Chef Man-bok

A cuisine specialist who doesn't get along with Queen Cheorin.

• Kang Chae-won as Dam-hyang

A young court lady who is close to Queen Cheorin.

Court Ladies

• Kim Ju-young as Oh-wol^[13]

Jo Hwa-jin's maid.

• Son So-mang as Court Lady Kang

Queen Sinjeong's lady-in-waiting.

• Seo Hye-ryeong as a court lady
• Ahn Ju-ri as a court lady

People in the Royal Palace

• Kang Da-hyun as Hang Sim-hyang
• Yoon Gi-won as royal physician
• Yoon Jin-ho as Head Eunuch
• Lee Tae-gum as Eunuch Kim
• Choi Hwan-yi as Eunuch Choi
• Kim Bang-won as Sal-su

Special appearances

• Ha Min as Physician Park (Ep. 1)
• Seo Dong-suk as detective (Ep. 1)
• Kwon Eun-soo as court lady (Ep. 2)
• Kim Ka-eun as a young court lady (Ep. 2)
• Lee Seung-jin as royal guard (Ep. 2)
• Yoon Jung-ro as royal guard (Ep. 2)
• Baek Jae-jin as general store owner (Ep. 2–3)
• Oh Ji-young as court lady (Ep. 3)
• Na Mi-hee as court lady (Ep. 3)
• Kim Yong-jin as eunuch (Ep. 3)
• Moon Hak-jin as food palanquin bearer (Ep. 6)
• Koo Ja-keon as food palanquin bearer (Ep. 6)
• Kim Seung-wan as food palanquin bearer (Ep. 6)
• Kim Nan-hee as fortune teller (Ep. 6)

Production

In March 2020, Shin Hye-sun was confirmed to be a part of the drama.^[14] In June 2020, Kim Jung-hyun, Bae Jong-ok, Kim Tae-woo joined her to play lead roles in the series.^[15] In July 2020, Seol In-ah^[16] and Yoo Young-jae^[10] also joined the cast.

In October, the first script reading was held.^[17] The stills from filming of the series were released on November 16, 2020.^[18]

The series reunites actors Kim Jung-hyun and Seol In-ah who previously acted together in the drama School 2017.

It also marks the second collaboration of Shin Hye-sun with actors Bae Jong-ok, Kim In-kwon and Lee Jae-won with whom she acted in the film Innocence and the dramas Angel's Last Mission: Love and Legend of the Blue Sea, respectively.

On November 24, 2020, filming was stopped as one of the supporting actors tested positive for COVID-19.^[19]

Release

From November 4, 2021, the series is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.^[20] From February 15, 2023, the series was made available for streaming on Netflix.^[21]

Episodes

Spin-off

tvN announced that they would be airing a spin-off titled Mr. Queen: The Secret (official Korean name: Mr. Queen: Bamboo Forest), which featured the secrets and an extended love story of King Cheoljong and Queen Cheorin. It aired exclusively on the streaming service, TVING after the end of the main series' episodes 19 and 20 on February 13–14.

Original soundtrack

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Mr. Queen: The Bamboo Forest OST

Mr. Queen OST (Various Artists)

Chart performance

Reception

Controversies

Following its airing, a controversy erupted in episode 2 as the series referred to Korea's national treasure, the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty as a "tabloid." This drew outrage among viewers and about 700 people filed complaints to the Korea Communications Standards Commission.^[23] The series was also criticised as the author of the original Chinese drama has made negative remarks about Korea in their other work.^{[24][unreliable source?]} The producers released a statement clarifying their stance and apologising for the controversies, adding that they were not aware of the negative comments made by the novelist.^[25]

Domestic audience viewership

An 8.0% viewership rating was recorded nationwide for the first episode, making it the second-highest premiere rating of any weekend drama of the network^[26] and fifth-highest premiere rating of the network after Hospital Playlist 2,^[27] Jirisan,^[28] Mr. Sunshine,^[29] and Encounter.^[30][31]

As per Nielsen Korea, the final episode logged a national average viewership of 17.37%, breaking its own highest ratings, thereby making the series 5th highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history.^[32]

Global audience viewership

Mr. Queen became the 4th most popular TV show on Netflix a few days after it was made available for streaming on February 20, 2023, as per data provided by FlixPatrol for February 20. Mr. Queen went further up the Netflix Top 10 TV Shows Worldwide Chart.^{[33][unreliable source?]}

Mr. Queen took 5th place in the Netflix global viewing hours with 20.9 million viewing hours in its first week after it was made available for streaming on Netflix. It reached Top 10 in TV in 33 countries from Africa, Asia, and the Americas including Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam.^[34]

Awards and nominations

Notes

1. ^ "Puzzle" didn't enter Gaon Digital Chart, but peaked 16 position on the Gaon Download Chart^[37]

References

1. ^ Kim Hyo-jin (December 13, 2020). "ko:"원작은 중국 웹드라마"...드라마 '철인왕후', '태자비승직기'와 차이점 보니" ["The original Chinese web drama"... The difference from the drama'Queen Iron Man' and'Prince Biseung Loom']. 톱스타뉴스. Topstar News. Archived January 29, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
2. ^ "Queen Cheorin What Are The Expected Release Date? And What You Should Know About The Show?". Pop Culture Times. July 25, 2020. Archived October 23, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
3. ^ "Queen Cheorin (Korean Drama - 2020) - 철인왕후". HanCinema. Archived October 9, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
4. ^ "Mr. Queen (2020)". CJ Entertainment. Archived January 8, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
5. ^ Nayeon Kim (February 15, 2021). "ko:'철인왕후' 자체 최고 시청률 17.4%로 종영, tvN 역대 5위" ['Queen of Iron Man' finished with its own highest rating of 17.4%, and ranked 5th on tvN history] (in Korean). Sports Today. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
6. ^ Bae Hyo-joo (February 15, 2021). "ko:'철인왕후' 신혜선X김정현 꽉 닫힌 해피엔딩..자체 최고 시청률로 유종의 미" ['The Queen of Iron Man' Shin Hye-seon x Kim Jeong-hyun A tightly closed happy ending... Yoo Jong's beauty with its own highest ratings] (in Korean). Newsen. Naver. Archived February 15, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
7. ^ "申惠善&金正賢搭檔魂穿劇《哲仁王后》 當現代男人靈魂穿進古代中殿身體里" [Shin Hye Sun & Kim Jong Hyun partner in the soul wear drama "Queen Che In" When the soul of modern men penetrates the body of the ancient nave] (in Traditional Chinese). Korea Star Daily. June 5, 2020. Archived October 21, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
8. ^ "ko:철인왕후인물 소개" [Introduction of Queen Iron Man]. Tving. Archived January 21, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
9. ^ Moon, Ji-yeon (September 21, 2020). "ko:[공식] 유민규 '철인왕후' 출연 확정..신혜선X김정현과 호흡" [[Official] Yoo Min-gyu confirmed to appear in'Queen Iron Man'.. Breath with Shin Hye-sun x Kim Jeong-hyun]. Sports Chosun. Archived October 23, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
10. ^ Moon, Ji-yeon (June 22, 2020). "ko:[공식] B.A.P 출신 영재, '철인왕후' 캐스팅..신혜선X김정현과 호흡" (in Korean). Naver. Archived November 24, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
11. ^ Kim, Jins-eok (July 17, 2020). "ko:[단독]설인아, tvN '철인왕후' 주연 합류" [[Exclusive] Seol-in, joins the lead role of tvN's 'Mr. Queen'] (in Korean). isplus. Archived October 31, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
12. ^ "ko:[단독] 최진혁, tvN '철인왕후' 특별출연...강렬한 존재감 예고" [[Exclusive] Jinhyuk Choi, special appearance on tvN'Queen of Iron Man'... Foreshadowing a strong presence] (in Korean). isplus.live.joins. October 23, 2020. Archived November 20, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
13. ^ "Rookie Kim Ju-young Cast for tvN Drama "Queen Cheorin"". HanCinema. Archived October 23, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
14. ^ "ko:신혜선 측 \". mstoo.asiae.co.kr. Archived November 16, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
15. ^ 스타뉴스 (June 5, 2020). "ko:신혜선X김정현X배종옥X김태우, '철인왕후' 출연 확정 "美친 조합" [공식]". Star News. Archived November 14, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
16. ^ "tvN '철인왕후' 주연 합류". July 17, 2020. Archived November 24, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
17. ^ "ko:김정현X신혜선, 조선의 쇼윈도 부부...'철인왕후', 유쾌한 대본리딩". 디스패치 | 뉴스는 팩트다!. October 28, 2020. Archived November 24, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
18. ^ Jang, Ah-reum (November 16, 2020). "ko:'철인왕후' 신혜선x김정현 첫 스틸...조선판 쇼윈도 부부 "신들린 코믹"". Naver. Archived November 16, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
19. ^ Soo, Young Hwang (November 24, 2020). "ko:'철인왕후' 측 "코로나19 확진자 발생, 모든 촬영 중단"" ["Queen of Iron Man" side "Corona 19 confirmed, all shooting stopped" [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Daily. Naver. Archived November 24, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
20. ^ "Amazon Prime Video announces its K-Drama slate, includes Mr Queen and True Beauty". India Today. October 21, 2021. Archived October 21, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
21. ^ "Top K-Drama Mr Queen Arrives On Netflix". Small Screen. February 14, 2023. Archived February 24, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
22. ^ "ko:2021년 02주차 Digital Chart" [2021 Week 02 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. January 10–16, 2021. Archived January 14, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
23. ^ "'Mr. Queen' rating continues to rise despite criticism for 'distorting history'". The Korea Times. December 27, 2020. Archived February 5, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
24. ^ "Shin Hye Sun and Kim Jung Hyun's K Drama Mr Queen's ratings and viewership on the rise despite controversies". www.ibtimes.sg. December 20, 2020. Archived December 20, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
25. ^ "Mr. Queen in controversy over OG novelist and The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty line; Makers issue apology". PINKVILLA. Archived December 16, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
26. ^ Kim, Myung-mi (December 13, 2020). "ko:'철인왕후' 시청률 8%로 출발, tvN 역대 토일극 2위 기록" ['Queen of Iron Man' started with 8% viewership, and recorded 2nd place in all Saturday dramas on tvN]. Newsen. Naver. Archived December 13, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
27. ^ "June 17, 2021 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Archived September 21, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 20, 2021. 1st (tvN) 슬기로운의사생활2<본> 10.007%
28. ^ "October 23, 2021 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Archived October 24, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 18, 2021. 1st (tvN) 특별기획지리산<본> 9.097%
29. ^ "July 7, 2018 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Archived July 8, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 13, 2020. 1st (tvN) 미스터션샤인<본> 8.852%
30. ^ "November 28, 2018 Nationwide Cable Ratings". Nielsen Korea. Archived January 29, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 13, 2020. 1st (tvN) 수목드라마(남자친구<본>) 8.683%
31. ^ "ko:'철인왕후' 신혜선 날았다! 시청률 연일 상승 9% 돌파" ['The Iron Man Queen' Shin Hye-sun flew! The viewership rate exceeded 9% every day] (in Korean). Sports Seoul. December 14, 2020. Archived January 11, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
32. ^ "Nielsen Korea Cable Daily -TOP 10 LIST FOR TV PROGRAMS". AGB Nielsen Media Research. Archived June 1, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
33. ^ Eunice (February 20, 2023). "High-Rating tvN K-Drama "Mr. Queen" Rises On The Netflix Worldwide Chart 2 Years After Its TV Broadcast". Kpopmap. Archived February 24, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
34. ^ "Unlocked (2023), Mr. Queen (2020) Enter Netflix Global Top 10". Kpopmap. February 21, 2023. Archived February 24, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
35. ^ Park, Dong-je (April 12, 2021). "ko:5월 13일 개최 '57회 백상예술대상', TV·영화·연극 부문 최종 후보 공개" ['57th Baeksang Arts Awards' held on May 13th, final nominations for TV·Film·Theatre are revealed] (in Korean). BreakNews. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
36. ^ Kim Jin-seok and Jo Yeon-kyung (April 12, 2021). "ko:57회 백상예술대상, TV·영화·연극 부문 최종 후보 공개" [57th Baeksang Arts Awards, final nominations for TV, film, and theater released] (in Korean). Daily Sport. Naver. Archived April 12, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
37. ^ "ko:2021년 03주차 Download Chart" [2021 Week 03 Digital Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived January 21, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 16, 2021.

External links

• Official website (in Korean)
• Mr. Queen at Daum (in Korean)
• Mr. Queen at IMDb
• Mr. Queen on Viki