Drama Treasure Trove - #2:Mr Queen

Mr. Queen is a South Korean television series directed by Yoon Sung-sik, based on the Chinese web series "Go Princess Go". Starring Shin Hye-sun as Queen Cheorin and Kim Jung-hyun as King Cheoljong, the show follows the story of Queen Cheorin who finds herself with a modern-day man's soul in her body, and King Cheoljong who works to become a ruler who supports his subjects. The series was broadcast on tvN every Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 PM (KST) from December 12, 2020 to February 14, 2021.

Despite controversy, the series became the 8th highest rated drama in Korean cable television history, with its final episode reaching a nationwide rating of 17.371% and attracting over 4 million viewers. This achievement also set a record for tvN, becoming the 5th highest rated program in the network's history.

Story

The first episode of Mr Queen opens with a spotlight on the youngest chef to ever work at the Blue House, Jang Bong-Hwan. Despite the ambassador's aversion to fish, Bong-Hwan instructs his interpreter to communicate his request for the ambassador to stop complaining. However, the interpreter fails to do so, demonstrating the significant influence of Bong-Hwan's motto: "cooking is politics."

Bong-Hwan presents his dish to the ambassador with confidence, but disaster strikes when a hook is found in the food. The police quickly arrive at Bong-Hwan's door, intent on taking him in for questioning about the hook incident.

After a failed attempt to escape via the balcony, Bong-Hwan tumbles into the water below, hitting his head on the bottom of the swimming pool. But as he falls, a woman swims towards him surrounded by the Northern Lights and kisses him.

Meanwhile, Han Pyo-Jin devises a scheme to have his right-hand chef, Bu Seung-Min, take over as the top chef at the Blue House.

When Bong-Hwan comes to, he finds himself transported to the past. Upon examining himself in the mirror, he realizes that he has transformed into a woman. Despite initially thinking this is a dream, he soon realizes the truth and begins to investigate what has happened to him.

As he leaves the room, Bong-Hwan is referred to as "Your Highness" and realizes that he is now inhabiting the body of Queen Kim So-Yong. He initially believes that he has been kidnapped and subjected to a forced sex change operation.

Back in the palace, Bong-Hwan is interrogated by the physician. Despite feeling uneasy, Bong-Hwan soon realizes that the strange events are linked to the lake outside the palace. He theorizes that his spirit and Kim's have switched bodies.

Determined to find a solution, Bong-Hwan sets out for the lake, but his plan to jump in goes awry when he ends up covered in mud.

Upon returning to the palace, Bong-Hwan learns that Kim is soon to be wed to the King. The King, who is both handsome and clueless, is caught reading inappropriate material which he calls "studies." When he sees Kim passing by, he calls her over.

Bong-Hwan approaches the King and requests that the lake be filled with water. He discovers that the Grand Queen Dowager ordered the lake to be emptied and the King is merely a puppet ruler. In a fit of frustration, Bong-Hwan slaps the King across the face.

The two struggle for control of a book, and the workers watch in horror as it flies through the air and lands in a trough outside. In front of Queen Kim, the King tries to prove his sincerity and protect the Head Eunuch from punishment.

Meanwhile, the physician reports to Kim Jwa-Geun about the Queen's "severe memory loss." He instructs Jwa-Geun to remain silent and figure out a way to bring her memory back to its previous state. They both suspect foul play, particularly with the Queen being lured to the lake the previous night.

Later at court, a man claims to have seen the Queen acting suspiciously, causing accusations to arise and pointing fingers at Jo Hwa-Jin. However, it is revealed that she was with the King at the time. The King intervenes and declares his desire to hasten the upcoming wedding, but the Queen Dowager puts a stop to it, reminding everyone that a Queen's position is higher than a concubine's.

Jo Hwa-Jin is then brought into the palace, and Bong-Hwan realizes that without any lakes around, he might be stuck as the Queen for the time being. Determined to uncover the truth, Bong-Hwan starts his investigation. He discovers that he is in the year 1851, during the Joseon Period and the second year of Prince Deokwan's reign. Unfortunately, he also learns which King it is, and the news is not good.

When the King visits the Queen, Bong-Hwan tries to explain his situation as a man trapped in a woman's body, but the King is not convinced. Bong-Hwan decides to seek the royal physician's help and eventually agrees to marry the King, with the intention of escaping as soon as possible.

At the wedding, Bong-Hwan is weighed down by the heavy helmet and acts in an undignified manner, drawing attention to himself. When the Queen's real name, Kim So-Yong, is mentioned, Bong-Hwan momentarily struggles to breathe before eventually settling back down.

The gravity of the situation sets in for Bong-Hwan as he realizes he must fulfill the marriage duties that night. He clings to hope that there is a solution, but the liquor table is brought in, only to find that the King does not drink. It seems that Bong-Hwan is about to experience a role reversal

This is only the first Episode Story, which has a duration of above 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Embark on an epic journey with 20 hours of captivating writing and musical accompaniment, as each episode clocks in at 1 hour or more. As you can see, Mr. Queen is a well-written and well-acted series that captivated audiences and received critical acclaim. The series' blend of humor, romance, and historical drama has made it a standout among Korean dramas and a must-watch for fans of the genre. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your popcorn and get ready for an unforgettable journey through the world of Mr. Queen!

Available on NETFLIX