Lee Hyun Wook Reflects On Bringing A Historical Icon To Life In Upcoming Drama “The Queen Who Crowns”

Dec 26, 2024

Lee Hyun Wook has shared his thoughts on his upcoming drama “The Queen Who Crowns”!

“The Queen Who Crowns” tells the story of Queen Wongyeong (Cha Joo Young), a kingmaker who dreamed of a new world in the early days of the Joseon dynasty and made her husband Lee Bang Won (Lee Hyun Wook) a king with whom she shared the power of the throne. Although she was described in historical records only as “King Taejong’s wife” or “Mrs. Min” without her full name, the drama will reimagine history from the perspective of Queen Wongyeong, who lived an independent life without losing herself in spite of devastating betrayals and harsh reality.

Lee Hyun Wook is making his historical drama debut as Lee Bang Won, King Taejong, the third king of the Joseon Dynasty. In an interview, he expressed his gratitude for the role, saying, “It was an honor to play King Taejong. I felt a strong sense of responsibility and gave it my all.”

Lee Hyun Wook shared his initial reaction to the project, noting, “Unlike other projects, this drama focuses on the relationship between Wongyeong and Lee Bang Won from her perspective, which was both interesting and fresh.” He added, “The depiction of Lee Bang Won is explored from multiple perspectives, making the character’s emotions and situations feel more real.”

Describing Lee Bang Won, Lee Hyun Wook said, “He’s a man with great abilities in many areas, but at the same time, he had to sacrifice others due to his choices. He was a strong yet lonely person who tried to protect what mattered to him, even amidst his fears.”

The drama explores the political rift between Lee Bang Won and Wongyeong, a couple known for their political partnership, after they become king and queen. It also delves into the personal conflicts in their marriage, creating a unique and compelling storyline. Because of this, Lee Hyun Wook focused on Lee Bang Won’s inner struggles. He explained, “I thought a lot about how to express the character’s emotions more thoroughly. I focused on portraying the inner turmoil and conflicts of a human being more deeply than the typical image of King Taejong we’ve seen before.”

While working on the historical drama, Lee Hyun Wook revealed an unexpected challenge: the question of whether a beard would suit him. Looking back at his filmography, Lee Hyun Wook’s smooth, sharp jawline without a beard had become his trademark. However, he expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thanks to the talented staff, they created a sophisticated look that didn’t feel awkward.”

Lee Hyun Wook also picked several highlights viewers can look forward to in the drama: “The actors’ delicate emotional performances, the beautifully designed sets and locations, and the various visual elements.”