Lee Yi Dam Fuels The Rift Between Lee Hyun Wook and Cha Joo Young In “The Queen Who Crowns”

Feb 03, 2025

tvN’s “The Queen Who Crowns” has given more insight into Lee Yi Dam’s character!

“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.

Spoilers

Previously, concubine Chae Ryeong (Lee Yi Dam) learned to survive in the palace on her own. She gained the trust of the chief court lady and secretly formed an alliance with the influential official Lee Sook Beon (Park Yong Woo). However, her position remained unstable due to her lowly past as Queen Won Gyeong’s former handmaid.

Her troubles didn’t end there. Won Gyeong, who once saved her from being accused of theft, and her husband, Lee Bang Won, both pressured her for their own reasons. Stuck between them, she couldn’t fully take one side. Instead, she had to prove her worth to both, carefully balancing her position to remain indispensable.

However, in the latest episode, Chae Ryeong underwent a dramatic transformation. When Lee Bang Won was supposed to visit her chambers but instead spent time with Queen Won Gyeong, she boldly spoke up in front of both, declaring, “I can serve him.”

After uncovering Won Gyeong’s lie—that Chae Ryeong had a cold—to keep the king by her side, she confronted the queen directly. Once too fearful to even meet Won Gyeong’s eyes, Chae Ryeong now showed her anger without hesitation.

Cast out from the palace, Chae Ryeong immediately sought out Consort Gwon Seon (Yeon Si Woo). Speaking of Queen Won Gyeong, she remarked, “Even if she has ten, she could still take the one that a concubine holds.” With a determined gaze, she added, “We must join forces.”

She also subtly put Won Gyeong in danger. Chae Ryeong was the one who informed Lee Bang Won that the Min family, the queen’s maternal relatives, had taken in so many servants that they were running low on grain. After the royal silkworm ceremony, she further provoked the king by musing, “If Queen Seondeok were reincarnated, would she look like that? Her Majesty would have made a great ruler of Joseon.”

Now, Chae Ryeong has gained a new advantage. Before the royal silkworm ceremony, she secretly spotted Pan Soo (Song Jae Ryong), Queen Won Gyeong’s informant, sneaking into the palace. In the past, Chae Ryeong had been caught spying on a meeting between Won Gyeong and Pan Soo under Lee Bang Won’s orders. This time, she recognized him instantly.

With a knowing smile, she chose to keep the information to herself—for now. But Lee Bang Won has always been wary of his wife’s secret dealings, repeatedly issuing harsh warnings.