“Queen Woo,” a highly anticipated TVING original historical K-drama, made its debut on August 29, 2024 (KST). The series “Queen Woo” captivated audiences with its intense premise and star-studded cast including Ji Chang Wook, Jeon Jong So, and Jung Yu Mi. However, the release of Part 1, consisting of four episodes, has sparked significant controversy and mixed reactions to sex and LGBT scenes.
*CONTENT WARNING: THIS PIECE CONTAINS EXPLICIT IMAGERY, NUDITY, AND LGBT, WHICH MIGHT BE UNSETTLING FOR SOME*
Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for the show. If you haven’t watched it yet, proceed with caution!
“Queen Woo” The Debate Over Meaningless Sex Scenes
Despite the promising storyline, both critics and viewers have voiced their disappointment with how the first part was handled. A review from TENASIA harshly criticized “Queen Woo,” describing it as being dominated by “sex and nudity.” The review pointed out that the show has been more focused on explicit content than on building a compelling narrative.
Once released, the storyline quickly became a hot topic among netizens. One of the most discussed scenes in “Queen Woo” was the intimate bed scene between King Go Nam Moo (Ji Chang Wook) and Woo Soon (Jung Yoo Mi).
The scene is considered vulgar, as Woo Soon’s upper body is clearly visible during her intimate encounter with Nam Moo. However, many viewers were confused after watching the intimate moment between the two characters in “Queen Woo.” Meanwhile, some viewers notice that the sex scene is only Woo Soon’s imagination, which is unnecessary.
Critics have also accused the drama of squandering its potential by resorting to gratuitous scenes rather than building on its empowering premise.
“Actress Jeon Jong Seo plays Queen Woo Hui of Goguryeo, the sole protagonist of the show. After the king’s death, Queen Woo leaves the palace to choose the next king and place him on the throne, securing her position as queen. She is a strong and assertive female figure.
In fact, had Queen Woo focused on this aspect, it could have been a groundbreaking female-centric historical K-Drama. Jeon could have played an unprecedented queen character who selects the king with her own hands.
But Queen Woo, at least in the episodes released so far, takes the spotlight away from the queen. With the exception of Episode 3, each episode features nudity and sex scenes. Unlike typical historical K-Dramas, Queen Woo includes extended explicit scenes that are even more detailed than those in romance dramas.”
Reporter Ryu Ye Ji of TENASIA.
Star-Studded Cast Under Pressure
With a cast featuring top stars like Jeon Jong Seo, Ji Chang Wook, Kim Mu Yeol, and Jung Yu Mi, expectations of “Queen Woo” were high. However, the show’s heavy emphasis on R-rated scenes has led to backlash. Many wondered if the creators felt pressured to sensationalize the content due to the star-studded lineup. Reporter Ryu Ye Ji of TENASIA noted that, since its premiere, “Queen Woo” has faced relentless criticism, with the explicit scenes overshadowing the show’s potential.
During the press conference, Yoo Mi admitted that she felt burdened by the explicit scenes. However, the actress revealed her reason for agreeing to perform the intimate scenes, stating,
“There were some burdens that I felt. However, I believe those scenes were important for portraying Woo Soon. After deciding to take part, I discussed it with the production team and worked hard during the filming process.”
Jung Yoo Mi.
Fan Reactions: Disappointed by a “Game of Thrones”-Style Approach
K-drama fans on platforms like Reddit have echoed these concerns, expressing their disappointment at how “Queen Woo” seemed to borrow heavily from the “Game of Thrones” playbook, particularly in its use of explicit scenes. Many viewers feel that the excessive focus on nudity detracts from what could have been a powerful and engaging historical drama.
- After one episode, I can say this is so Game of Thrones coded.
- The amount of nude/explicit scenes is taking me out.
- Lee Soo Hyuk is amazing at his character. The acting overall is stellar; not one thing to complain about. Just I wasn’t in for the treacherous level of nudity in this. It was so random sometimes. Like, why do I need to see the shaman’s boobs out of nowhere?
- Queen Woo is riveting, and I can’t wait for the next four episodes. That said, I went in NOT knowing this was 19+, so I was absolutely gobsmacked with some scenes. Were they necessary? I’m not sure. I feel like even without them the plot could carry on and make sense.
As the series continues, it remains to be seen whether “Queen Woo” can shift its focus back to the compelling narrative that initially drew viewers in. The remaining episodes, set to air on September 12, 2024, will determine the drama’s overall reception.
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My innocent Ji Changwook ????