'Queen Woo', the new TVING original series, has taken the top spot on the 'Today's TVING TOP20' chart as of August 30.

The historical action drama, starring Jun Jong Seo, Kim Mu Yeol, and Ji Chang Wook, follows 'Queen Woo' as she battles various factions to establish a new king within 24 hours after the sudden death of the king.

While the series has been a hit, it has faced some controversy. Critics have pointed out that the costumes in the teaser and stills look similar to traditional Chinese attire, raising questions about historical accuracy.

In response, the producers clarified, “The series is a reimagined version based on historical figures. We consulted experts and used verified historical documents.”

The Part 1 episode, which aired on August 29, showed Queen Woo Hee (Jun Jong Seo) grappling with the power struggle after the king’s death.

The series adds intrigue with the story of Woo Hee continuing her role through the tradition of 'hyeongsa chwi su hon' (where a younger brother marries his older brother's wife after his death).

Ji Chang Wook’s action-packed scenes and quick scene transitions have heightened the drama’s intensity. Viewers commented, “The battle scenes are epic,” “The actors have great chemistry,” and “The chase scenes are thrilling.”

However, some critics have taken issue with the series' level of exposure. The show has drawn attention for its bold depiction of female nudity. Notably, a scene featuring Woo Hee’s sister, Woo Sun (played by Jung Yu Mi), and a same-sex high priest has sparked debate.

Jung Yu Mi addressed the controversy at the 'Queen Woo' press conference on August 27, saying, “I felt some pressure, but I believed the scene was important for the story. After deciding to proceed, I worked closely with the team and gave it my all.”

Despite the praise and interest, some viewers have criticized the series for being too explicit, calling it “unnecessary” and “over the top.”

Part 2 of 'Queen Woo' is set to release on September 12.

Source: [1]

Lee Jun Young recently opened up about the emotional toll of playing a villain—and how one powerful scene made him break down in tears behind the scenes.

On the May 1st episode of KBS 2TV’s variety show Problem Child in House, Lee Jun Young appeared alongside co-star Jung Eun Ji to promote their new KBS drama Pump Up the Healthy Love.

During the show, Lee Jun Young was asked about the most unforgettable villain he’s played. He chose his role as Han Su Gang in the film Brave Citizen.

He explained, “It was really tough to film. I had to act like I was leading school violence, and there was even a scene where I bullied a grandmother.”

The hosts were surprised, pointing out how kind and gentle he seems in real life. Lee Jun Young shared how he transforms for such roles.

“I try to act as bad as I can, but sometimes the director says, ‘You still look too nice.’ Then I focus even harder and adjust right away.”

He also revealed that filming one particular scene hit him hard emotionally. “My real grandmother was sick at the time,” he said.

“In one scene, there’s a grandma selling gimbap, and I ad-libbed by stubbing a cigarette out on the gimbap. I was really into character, but after filming, I just broke down. So many thoughts came to me and I started crying.”

Fans praised his dedication to acting but also felt moved by how deeply the role affected him. Lee Jun Young’s honesty gave a raw look at how even fictional roles can hit close to home.

Source: [1]