Is 'Queen Woo' Based on a True Story + Who Did She End Up With? A Look at Historical Accuracy in the New K-Drama
As the series "Queen Woo" premiered on September 8, many fans are now eager to see to what extent the events reflect real historical ones that have happened.
The series is reportedly based on the life of Queen U of Goguryeo, a notable figure in the history of Korea and one of the most influential political figures of her time.
In a recent discussion on Reddit's r/cdramasfans, fans expressed both their interest in the series and questioned its historically close events.
One of the users, whose nickname was BarberProfessional28, commented, "I'm excited that I chose to make this my first korean show of the year," adding, "This show features two of my most favorite Korean actors i.e., Ji Chang Wook and Lee Soo Hyuk."
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The thread revealed mixed feelings among viewers regarding the portrayal of historical events.
While some fans are drawn to the dramatic storyline surrounding Queen U's life after her husband's death, others are curious about the specifics of her relationships with historical figures.
SEE:'Game of Thrones' Coded? 'Queen Woo' Criticized for Excessive Sex Scenes and Weak Plot
For example, users International-Sun34 and PartLegitimate3143 mentioned that the real-life U became Queen after marrying King Jinheung of Goguryeo and then played a prominent role within the politics of the kingdom, especially in the aftermath of her husband's death.
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The user indicated, "In real life, she ended up marrying king Jinheung's younger brother and that's going to get big in the story."
The drama has sparked discussions about how closely it will adhere to historical facts versus creative storytelling. Fans noted that while historical dramas often take liberties for dramatic purposes, they appreciate when shows provide a grounded context based on actual events.
Recently, MyDramaList also reported that critics have also pointed out that the characters' costumes and topknots closely resemble those seen in Chinese historical dramas, particularly focusing on the attire worn by Kim Mu Yeol's character, Eul Pa So.
At a press conference on August 27, director Jung Se Kyo addressed these concerns. He emphasized that the production team did not work in isolation, stating, "There were professors who provided us with advice, and we conducted several rounds of verification for the imagery and costumes."
Jung added that they referenced Goguryeo-era murals and other historical materials for inspiration regarding topknots and costumes. He acknowledged that some creative liberties were necessary due to limited historical records, but noted that these choices were made to effectively narrate the story of Queen Woo.
Writer Lee Byung Hak also defended the drama, asserting, "As you will see, this drama has nothing to do with the Northeast Project," referring to China's revisionist approach to history in Northeast Asia.
The series is currently available for streaming on several platforms, including HiTv and TVing.
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This article was written by:
Rovelyn Barba
