'Won-gyeong' focuses on the story of Queen Won-gyeong, who seized power alongside her husband, King Taejong Lee Bang-won. The drama centers on the couple's relationship, highlighting the intense love and conflicts they faced as they navigated the treacherous waters of royal life. It tells the story of Queen Won-gyeong's life as she loved fiercely, clashed strongly, and lived independently as a queen, wife, and mother while her husband strengthened his reign by killing his own brothers.
Cha Joo-young first made a lasting impression on the public as 'Stewardess Hyejeong', one of the bullies in the Netflix series 'The Glory'. The transformation from the lighthearted Hyejeong to the dignified Queen Won-gyeong is not something one would easily imagine.
However, in 'Won-gyeong', there is not a single moment where Hyejeong's face can be found in Cha Joo-young. The noble atmosphere, powerful speech, and deep gaze all convey the majesty of Queen Won-gyeong. While it is said that an actor should be versatile in adapting to their roles, Cha Joo-young's ability to bridge the significant gap between Hyejeong and Won-gyeong with her completely transformed performance is truly impressive.
Having studied business administration in the United States, Cha Joo-young took a somewhat late start in her acting career, debuting at the age of 26 in 2016. She appeared in dramas such as 'Cheese in the Trap', 'The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop', and 'Again My Life', but did not gain significant recognition as an actress. However, after the success of 'The Glory', her opportunities for selecting projects expanded.
Among the many offers she received, Cha Joo-young chose 'Won-gyeong'. She was drawn to the project because it is a historical drama that sheds light on a character that has not been the main focus in previous works.
"I have always wanted to do a historical drama, so I had no hesitation in choosing this one. There were several historical dramas offered to me, but 'Won-gyeong' was the one I wanted to do the most. Although it is a fusion, it aims to be a classic historical drama based on real people and history. I was also attracted to the fact that it tells the life story of Won-gyeong. I thought opportunities to portray someone's entire life in my acting career would be rare," she explained.
Queen Won-gyeong, the daughter-in-law of King Taejo Lee Seong-gye, wife of King Taejong Lee Bang-won, and mother of King Sejong the Great, has appeared in many Korean historical dramas. However, she has always been a supporting character in stories centered around Taejo, Taejong, and Sejong. The drama 'Won-gyeong' unfolds the story of a woman who firmly stands at the center of the newly established dynasty as Korea transitions from Goryeo to Joseon. This aspect was particularly appealing to Cha Joo-young.
"Many senior actors have portrayed Queen Won-gyeong exceptionally well, but this is the first work that centers around her. I wanted to be a part of that. It's not just because it's a female narrative; I want to take on roles where the character is compelling. Additionally, my grandmother is from the same lineage as Queen Won-gyeong, so I feel a personal connection to the role," she shared.
In preparation for 'Won-gyeong', Cha Joo-young even delved into the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty. She didn't just skim through the summaries; she challenged herself to study the original texts. Given that she was portraying a real historical figure, she felt it was essential to approach the role with accuracy and caution. This experience reminded her that history is written by those who record it. While it is important not to disturb the main narrative, there are alternative interpretations to consider.
"Our drama does not claim to present 'the history.' To learn history, one must study separately; our drama aims to interpret it from a different perspective. We tried to touch on the emotional aspects of humanity," she explained.
In historical dramas based on real figures, concerns about 'historical distortion' inevitably arise. Although the premise of the drama is to interpret history from a 'different perspective,' 'Won-gyeong' was not immune to controversy. In the drama, the passionate love between King Taejong Lee Bang-won (played by Lee Hyun-wook) and Queen Won-gyeong (played by Cha Joo-young) is fleeting, with more focus on their conflicts. Some critics pointed out that the intense conflicts seemed to stem from Lee Bang-won's insecurities and feelings of inferiority towards Won-gyeong.
"I was disappointed to see such controversies arise. We weren't asking viewers to overlook historical distortions; we aimed to handle 'historical facts' with a new perspective. I was prepared for the fact that our drama would leave room for many discussions. However, I believe that if viewers watch until the end, they will understand the attempts we made as a team. I thought patience would be the answer. While there were concerns, I hoped that as the story progressed, viewers would come to understand our intentions. I tried not to be too consumed by those worries. If I kept getting caught up in them, I felt I would be limited in my performance. I wanted to focus on the significance of trying new things and be bold in discarding what needed to be discarded," she said.
The relationship between Taejong and Queen Won-gyeong in 'Won-gyeong' can be summed up in one word: 'love-hate.' Their deep love leads to intense anger over betrayal, resulting in disappointment from sharp reactions. Although there is a sense of guilt, as the king and queen, they cannot openly express their feelings due to various political interests. Nevertheless, their genuine feelings for each other remain unwavering until the moment of death.
The reason the emotional tension between the two characters in 'Won-gyeong' is not fully understood is that the solid foundation of their love is briefly touched upon in flashback scenes. Instead, the two-part prequel drama 'Won-gyeong: The Connection of Dano', released on TVING, explores the passionate love story of the young Lee Bang-won and Won-gyeong. To fully grasp 'Won-gyeong', viewers need to watch this prequel as well.
"My co-star Hyun-wook and I were concerned about this. Since the two characters fight so much, we worried that viewers might not see enough of their loving moments, which could lead to misunderstandings. If viewers only see them fighting all the time, it could become exhausting. That's why I personally looked forward to the prequel. In the heavy main series, we didn't shoot a single scene easily; we put in a lot of effort. However, in the prequel, we were able to let go and shoot freely. We focused on how their first meeting felt and what their emotions were like, using our own interpretations as a guide. I thought viewers would understand our approach in the prequel, so we shot it in a more lively manner, even mixing in dialogue that would fit a fusion historical drama," she explained.
Cha Joo-young credited the success of her portrayal of Won-gyeong to the sacrifices made by her co-star Lee Hyun-wook, who played Lee Bang-won. Just as Cha Joo-young brought depth to Won-gyeong, Lee Hyun-wook skillfully portrayed the complex and nuanced character of Lee Bang-won. While opinions may vary on the character's portrayal, the chemistry between the two actors is universally praised.
"I was always aware that our drama could shift direction significantly with just one detail. I approached it with the belief that 'love' is the foundation of everything. It was important not to portray this woman as merely a victim of betrayal; she had many roles to fulfill as a human being, a wife, and a mother. As a result, Hyun-wook's character had to bear some of the burden. He made many sacrifices to showcase Won-gyeong. While Lee Bang-won is just as affectionate and pitiable as Won-gyeong, I felt that his charm was somewhat diminished because we had to focus on explaining Won-gyeong. However, I was relieved that some of that regret was addressed in the final episodes, where their older selves were depicted," she said.
'Won-gyeong' was released in two versions: a TV version rated 15+ and an OTT version on TVING rated 19+. The TVING version included scenes with higher levels of nudity. While these scenes helped draw initial attention to the drama, there were questions about whether they were necessary for the story's progression. There were even claims that these scenes were filmed with body doubles and CGI, independent of the actors' consent, leading to discussions about the drama's sensationalism. Cha Joo-young expressed her disappointment regarding this issue.
"I knew that the story of a royal couple in the Joseon Dynasty would be treated as 19+, and I thought it was a bold and good attempt. However, there are many aspects that I feel disappointed about. We had many discussions and put in a lot of thought, but I believe not everyone was satisfied with the outcome," she said.
In the drama, Queen Won-gyeong is a revered figure, yet she endures unimaginable tragedies. She must witness her husband, Lee Bang-won, take multiple wives under the guise of strengthening his reign, and she suffers the pain of losing her brothers due to political purges. Cha Joo-young portrayed the inner turmoil of Queen Won-gyeong with sensitivity and depth, conveying her sorrow to the audience.
"I believe the story of Won-gyeong is one of the greatest tragedies I know. I felt a deep sense of sympathy for her, but I didn't want to force that sentiment in my performance. I thought it would be risky to portray her as a mere victim. The events themselves tell the story. I was confident that if I acted sincerely, her feelings would surely be conveyed. I aimed to strike a balance in my performance, neither overdoing it nor holding back," she explained.
Cha Joo-young portrayed Won-gyeong from her teenage years to her old age. When depicting the elderly Won-gyeong, filled with gray hair in the later stages of filming, the weight of her life experiences naturally translated into her performance. Just as the character was exhausted at the end of her life, Cha Joo-young also felt physically and emotionally drained by the end of filming. She had poured everything into the role of Won-gyeong.
"There were many practical challenges. Just wearing the costumes, which had five layers, made it difficult to go to the bathroom. I truly felt the 'weight of the crown.' There was nothing I could do on my own due to the heavy headdresses and hair ornaments. I spent 20 hours a day with a heavy headdress and waxed hair. To wash my hair, I had to melt the wax and wash it two or three times. I was prepared for the physical challenges of a historical drama, but it was so tough that I found myself thinking, 'How many days are left until filming ends?' Of course, I knew that once it was over, I would miss this experience. Even when I had no strength left to support the headdress, I persevered day by day," she shared.
The burden and responsibility she felt in her first title role, the emotional pain she experienced while portraying Won-gyeong, and the practical difficulties of filming a historical drama made 'Won-gyeong' a challenging endeavor for Cha Joo-young, leaving her with many aftereffects.
"It's embarrassing to say this, but I wanted to run away. I felt like I couldn't breathe, and my body wasn't functioning properly. Even now, I still feel that way. My gums have deteriorated, my hair is falling out, and I've developed cervical disc issues. My body has taken a toll in many ways," she admitted.
However, she gained a lot from 'Won-gyeong'.
"I learned about life. I'm still at a stage where I have much to learn and understand about the world, but 'Won-gyeong' has greatly increased my courage. It has made me more humble and has prompted me to think deeply. As an actress and as a person, I realize that if I have certain ways of doing things that I've held onto until now, I need to be more open to various possibilities in the future," she reflected.
Viewers of 'Won-gyeong' understand that while the drama initially drew attention with its 19+ scenes, this aspect is not representative of the work's true essence. The seamless performances of the cast, including Cha Joo-young, Lee Hyun-wook, and special guest Lee Sung-min as Lee Seong-gye, and the engaging story of love, war, and palace intrigue centered around Queen Won-gyeong make 'Won-gyeong' a drama that is more enjoyable when viewed deeply.
Cha Joo-young was moved to hear viewers say, "You worked hard," and "You must have put a lot of thought into this." It was a testament to how much she invested in the project.
After finishing 'Won-gyeong', Cha Joo-young said, "I may feel regret in terms of my performance, but I have no regrets in my heart. I feel like I gave it my all. I have no more energy left." After pouring everything into the filming of 'Won-gyeong', she spent some time in a rural village in Japan to recharge. During her travels, she even made it to the Sahara Desert. Under the blue sky with vast stretches of red sand, Cha Joo-young replenished the energy she had expended and returned ready to take on new challenges. Now, it's time to run again.
"I have so many things I want to try. I want to do a noir film and play a female soldier character. The amount of screen time doesn't matter to me. As long as I have one point that I want to express, I'm fine with even a brief role. I shot a film called 'Lobby' that will be released soon, and I'm also starting to film my next project, 'Climax'," she revealed.
[Photo provided by Ghost Studio, stills from 'Won-gyeong' and 'The Glory']
Kang Sun-ae, reporter sakang@sbs.co.kr
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)