On December 19, a previously unseen poster for tvN·TVING’s original drama “The Queen Who Crowns,” which will air in January 2025, was leaked online. The poster, featuring actress Cha Joo-young in the lead role, Queen Wongyeong , sparked negative reactions because of her dress.
“The Queen Who Crowns” is based on the life of Queen Wongyeong, wife of Taejong Lee Bang-won, the third king of the Joseon Dynasty. However, in the leaked image, Cha Joo-young is wearing a black dress with a halter neck, which has attracted public criticism. Netizens commented: “If you’re going to do it, why not just set it in a fictional era?” AND “A halter neck model for a queen’s attire is unacceptable.” Many acknowledge that the drama takes creative liberties, but argue that if it is set in the Joseon era, historical accuracy should still be maintained.
This is not the first time that tvN’s historical dramas have faced such criticism. The 2022 drama “Under the Queen’s Umbrella,” also set during the Joseon Dynasty, received similar feedback despite its popularity for exploring unique themes such as “competition between princes.” Critics pointed out that although the story was fictional, many details were inconsistent with the era. For example, Kim Hye-soo, who played the queen, called herself bon-gung, a term not used by queens during the Joseon era. The premise that princes born to concubines competed with legitimate heirs for the throne also clashed with the Confucian princes who ruled Joseon. Viewers argued that such liberties might have been acceptable if the drama had been set in a fictional kingdom, but fusion historical dramas should also adhere to basic historical standards.
Another example is the drama “Queen Woo,” starring Jeon Jong-seo. Set in the Goguryeo period, the costumes worn by Queen Woo were criticized for resembling Chinese styles rather than reflecting Goguryeo’s cultural identity. PyeongChang Olympic Costume Director Kim Ki-sook commented: “If you’re using something unfamiliar, you can call on your imagination to create fantastic designs. But when you use something like this, you have to be careful.” Experts also agreed that the costumes bore a striking resemblance to those seen in Chinese dramas.
While these dramas have been praised for focusing on women’s narratives and offering fresh stories, the lack of effort to ensure historical accuracy has drawn harsh criticism from viewers. Many argue that without authenticity even the most creative concepts lose their impact.
