“Everyone has a fatal weakness, even superman becomes nothing more than a pervert who wears underwear on the outside when faced with kryptonite.” – Jang Bong Hwan
When a near-death experience sends modern-day Blue House chef Jang Bong Hwan’s (played by Choi Jin Hyuk) soul into the body of Queen Kim So Yong (played by Shin Hae Sun), he must come to terms with the fact that he’s now a woman.
Faced with a cunning Grand Queen, a prickly mother-in-law, a jealous royal concubine, and a figurehead king as husband, Jang Bong Hwan (or in this case, Queen So Yong) navigates palace intrigue while trying to resolve the original So Yong’s grievances and return to his original timeline and body.
Series: Mr. Queen (2020)
Where to watch: Rakuten Viki, Netflix
Cast: Shin Hae Sun, Kim Jung Hyun, Bae Jong Ok
Written by: Park Gye Ok, Choi Ah Il
Directed by: Yoon Sung Shik
The Plot
Adapted from the Chinese novel and web drama ‘The Promotion Record of a Crown Princess’ (also known as ‘Go Princess Go’) by Xian Cheng, the series follows the transmigration of a modern chef’s soul into the body of a Joseon-era queen.
After a near-death experience renders chef Jang Bong Hwan unconscious, he finds himself waking up in a palace, missing some key body parts and gaining entirely new ones. After determining that his reality has indeed shifted, he learns that he is now inhabiting the body of Queen Kim So Yong (also known as Queen Cheorin). Faced with this new reality and its rigid rules, Bong Hwan decides to leave everything to fate and live to the fullest, while occasionally worrying about his original body. However, no life is as easy as it seems, especially the life of a royal woman.
As a queen, he faces many hurdles and challenges, some in the form of people, others under the guise of social norms. With King Cheol Jong (played by Kim Jung Hyun), a figurehead king, as a gentle but emotionally distant husband, and Grand Queen Dowager Sunwon (played by Bae Jong Ok) as the true power behind the throne, Bong Hwan’s life as Queen Cheorin reveals the dark secrets hidden beneath the palace’s gleaming eaves.
Following his logic as a ‘modern man’, Bong Hwan, as Queen Cheorin, slowly but decisively navigates the royal palace intrigues and the atrocious food, transforming not only the lives of those around him, but also rewriting history with a generous dose of humor.
The Characters
Queen Kim So Yong/Jang Bong Hwan (played by Shin Hae Sun)
Queen Cheorin of the Joseon dynasty, whose body Jang Bong Hwan’s soul possesses. When not possessed, she is a proper noble lady with an upbringing and demeanor befitting her status. After the possession, Queen So Yong becomes an open and free-spirited individual unafraid of anything. Jang Bong Hwan’s true nature also shines through her as she’s often seen cooking and breaking rules (such as becoming the first woman in Joseon to forgo the belly band and cook in the imperial kitchen).
King Cheol Jong (played by Kim Jung Hyun)
A figurehead king with a gentle and timid personality. Owing to his unstable position on the throne, he’s often seen as subservient to the Grand Queen Dowager. However, behind the mask of a timid king lies a master strategist willing to risk his life to ensure the safety and prosperity of his people. Initially resistant and avoidant of Queen Cheorin, he gradually falls in love with her wit, with more than a little help from her delicious food.
Grand Queen Dowager Sunwon (played by Bae Jong Ok)
King Cheol Jeong’s grandmother and the true power behind the throne. Belonging to the Andong Kim clan, she and her family control Joseon’s political matters, leaving the king to act largely as a figurehead. She’s portrayed as a crafty and meticulous strategist who’s willing to go through extreme measures to ensure power remains with her or her clan.
Reasons to watch ‘Mr. Queen’
- Historical Romcom: Adapted from a novel, this drama’s plot revolves mostly under the guise of historical romance comedy. The plot packs a good dose of humor through expert storytelling and exceptionally well-crafted characters.
- Intriguing Premise: While soul transmigration isn’t a novel concept, the gender swap, along with the time-period shift, makes for a very intriguing premise.
- Fun Watch: The drama plot, not suitable for an extremely young audience, is a perfect fit for a fun binge-watch for young adults without being overly explicit.
- Palace Intrigue: Loosely based on the real-life reign of King Cheol Jung, the series is also filled with political struggles and twists, blending fiction with reality into a compelling narrative.
- Cinematography: The drama employs beautiful and symbolic cinematography. It not only emphasises the scenery but also the overall atmosphere. The use of bright colors, tasteful styling, and props, along with outstanding performances by the cast, leaves viewers with a lasting impression.
‘Mr. Queen’ is a 20-episode fun ride of joy, comedy, adventure, and history. It strikes a perfect balance between fiction and reality, humor and intrigue. Its diverse supporting characters, their background stories, unexpected bloopers added into the final cuts, a straightforward plot, and a happy ending make the watching experience memorable and enjoyable.
This holiday season, if you’re looking for a light watch to binge with family that isn’t overly explicit, ‘Mr. Queen’ is the answer.
Written By: N.V.S. Akanksha
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