Analysis of Who Triumphs in Queen Woo? Parallels Between Episode 1 and Episode 8 Scenes Explained

The much-anticipated Queen Woo season 1 premiered in two parts, with the first four episodes airing on August 30, 2024, followed by the remaining episodes released on September 12. This captivating drama is based on the authentic historical narrative of how Woo-hee became the first and only female monarch to ascend the throne twice, reigning over the Go Dynasty of Goguryeo, a significant part of the historical ‘Three Kingdoms of Korea.’

In the opening scenes of episode 1, viewers are transported to a battlefield where soldiers engage in fierce combat. Here, Queen Woo (played by Woo-hee) showcases her valor as she not only fires arrows at her foes but also brandishes her bronze sword, defeating an enemy soldier and ultimately triumphing in the war against an unspecified adversary.

The series culminates in episode 8, where Queen Woo (portrayed by Jeon Jong-seo) dons her regal warrior armor and proclaims her intent to stand up and fight alongside her people. This episode reveals that the “unknown enemy”from the initial episode was, in fact, the two brothers of the late King Go Nam-mu (played by Ji Chang-wook), who was Woo-hee’s husband.

The show opens with a powerful scene that mirrors the closing of the first episode, depicting Woo-hee’s determination and bravery as she slays the final enemy soldier and revels in victory alongside her comrades, despite being outnumbered.

The True Story Behind Queen Woo

Season 1 of this gripping TVING period drama centers around the dramatic events unfolding within a 24-hour period following the king’s assassination in his chamber. Queen Woo-hee must secure a new marriage with one of the late King Nam-mu’s brothers within this time frame in order to preserve her power and establish a new monarch. Failure to do so would result in the loss of her kingdom to the Hae clan and other rival clans seeking the throne.

All eight episodes chronicle the critical events that transpire in this brief window, from the king’s murder and Woo-hee’s daring escape from the Royal Palace to seek out one of King Nam-mu’s brothers and persuade him to marry her, to the treacherous plots of the various clans aiming for control.

Importantly, historical records indicate that the Goguryeo dynasty had a unique tradition that allowed queen consorts to marry the king’s brother to maintain political power after the monarch’s demise—an uncommon practice in traditional Korean culture.

At its peak in 197 AD, Goguryeo controlled much of the Korean peninsula and significant portions of Manchuria (now part of Northeast China and certain regions of Russia). Alongside the Liaodong Peninsula and Manchuria, Goguryeo ruled the northern reaches of the peninsula while the southern lands were dominated by Baekje and Silla. Together, these three formed the storied ‘Three Kingdoms of Korea.’

You can stream Queen Woo on TVING’s official website and Viu.

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