Historical Drama Sparks Controversy Before Release
Professor Hong Seok-Kyung from Seoul National University’s Journalism and Communication Department has stepped in to defend the new historical drama “Queen Woo,” which has been catching flak for possibly twisting history, even before it hit the screens. Professor Hong Seok-Kyung argues that it’s not surprising if Goguryeo clothing looks similar to Chinese attire, given the historical interactions between the two. He believes that the production team should have “sufficient spatiotemporal freedom to exercise their imagination and creativity” because historical records from that time are pretty limited.
Professor Hong Seok-Kyung Stands Up for the Drama
“Queen Woo” is a big-budget drama, costing around 30 billion won (about $22.5 million USD). It’s a fast-paced historical action series about Queen Woo, played by Jeon Jong-seo, who has just 24 hours to put a new king on the throne after the old one dies suddenly. She faces a lot of challenges from power-hungry princes and five tribes. Even before the first part aired on August 29, the show was criticized for looking too much like Chinese-style aesthetics.
After the show came out, Professor Hong Seok-Kyung took to Facebook to share his thoughts. He was excited to see a drama set in 2nd century Goguryeo, calling it “probably the oldest historical drama that isn’t based on mythology.” He praised the show’s focus on the fierce power struggle in Goguryeo after King Gogukcheon’s death and highlighted the queen’s pivotal role during this chaotic time.
Director Jung Se Kyo Addresses Historical Accuracy Concerns
Professor Hong Seok-Kyung also gave a thumbs-up to director Jung Se Kyo’s artistic choices. He liked the use of extreme close-ups and chiaroscuro lighting, which made the show visually striking and immersive. He brushed off complaints about historical inaccuracies in the costumes and settings, saying “it’s not so strange for the clothing of Goguryeo people, who had frequent contact and wars with China, to be similar to that of the Chinese.”
He even drew a comparison to the British historical drama “The Last Kingdom,” which shows the formation of a nation during the Danish invasions in the 9th and 10th centuries. Professor Hong Seok-Kyung hopes that “Queen Woo” will push the boundaries of Korean historical dramas, which have often focused mainly on the Joseon Dynasty.
Director Jung Se Kyo has also defended the show, saying they tried hard to get the history right and even consulted experts. He admitted that some costumes might look a bit like Chinese clothing but assured that it wasn’t intentional. Jung Se Kyo explained that the team did a lot of research and talked to historians to make sure they accurately portrayed 2nd century Goguryeo.
