3 Points To Keep An Eye On In Second Half Of “The Queen Who Crowns”

Jan 27, 2025

tvN’s “The Queen Who Crowns” is only going to get more captivating!

“The Queen Who Crowns” tells the story of Queen Won Gyeong (Cha Joo Young), a kingmaker who dreamed of a new world in the early days of the Joseon dynasty and helped 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 reimagines history from the perspective of Queen Won Gyeong, who lived an independent life without losing herself in spite of devastating betrayals and harsh reality.

As Queen Won Gyeong and Lee Bang Won help shape the new Joseon, the story shifts to focus on the key historical events that follow along with the couple’s pivotal decisions. The second half of the series promises a fresh direction with major developments ahead. Here’s a look at what to expect in this exciting new phase:

Spoilers

1. Lee Hyun Wook’s decision to cut ties with the elite

After ascending to the throne, Lee Bang Won kept his wife, Queen Won Gyeong, and her family in check. Though this strained their relationship, his true goal was to honor his father Lee Seong Gye (Lee Sung Min), who overthrew the corrupt Goryeo dynasty and founded Joseon. At the heart of the elite power structure are Queen Won Gyeong’s father Min Je (Park Ji Il), who controls officials and Sungkyunkwan Confucian scholars, and her brothers, Min Moo Gu (Han Seung Won) and Min Moo Jil (Kim Woo Dam). In a past episode, Lee Bang Won promised his father that he would rule for the people and sever ties with the powerful families.

A preview clip shows him declaring, “The true owner of the new Joseon I will create is the people,” while ordering the Inspector General’s Office and the State Council to crack down on corruption. This signals the start of the second half as Lee Bang Won works to strengthen royal power and initiate a significant historical shift.

2. Cha Joo Young’s decision to protect the Crown Prince and her family

Queen Won Gyeong stood firm even as her husband Lee Bang Won demanded obedience from her. She supported him during crucial moments and, upon arriving in Hanyang, vowed, “As always, I will stand by you.” However, the preview for Episode 7 hints at even greater challenges ahead. Frustrated by Lee Bang Won’s efforts to control her family, Min Moo Jil declared, “Half of the power belongs to our Min family,” and revealed plans to use the Crown Prince to seize the royal court. This sets the stage for the turmoil Queen Won Gyeong will soon face.

In the preview, her anxious question, “Will you kill my two younger brothers?” and Lee Bang Won’s order, “Gather the troops secretly by tomorrow morning,” signal rising tensions. Amid this crisis, Queen Won Gyeong’s determination to protect the Crown Prince is expected to become a key conflict in the second half.

3. The King’s concubines Lee Yi Dam and Yeon Si Woo and their rivalry

Chae Ryeong (Lee Yi Dam) rose from servant to concubine after giving birth to the king’s son. However, the arrival of Kwon Seon (Yeon Si Woo), a new concubine from an esteemed noble family, made Chae Ryeong realize the need for a strong ally. This led to a secret alliance with Lee Sook Beon (Park Yong Woo), a key royal advisor with a grudge against the queen and the Min family. As their collaboration unfolds, curiosity grows about how their actions will impact the palace’s power struggles.

Meanwhile, Kwon Seon’s moves are equally intriguing. She learns from a conversation between Lee Bang Won and another key advisor Ha Ryun (Choi Deok Moon), that the king suspects the queen of plotting rebellion. Though Kwon Seon has yet to make a bold move, she has the backing of her influential father and is already on edge due to Chae Ryeong’s brazen provocations. The intense power plays and strategic battles among these characters, all striving to survive in this new Joseon, are set to be a major highlight in the drama’s second half.