Cha Joo-young Opens Up About 'The Queen Who Crowns' and Controversial Exposure Scenes
Actress Cha Joo-young shared her thoughts on the controversial exposure scenes in an interview about the drama "The Queen Who Crowns."
Interview
Actress Cha Joo-young shared her thoughts on the controversial exposure scenes in an interview about the drama "The Queen Who Crowns."
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On February 13, actress Cha Joo-young sat down for an interview at a cafĂ© in Gangnam, Seoul, following the conclusion of tvN and TVINGâs original drama âThe Queen Who Crowns.â During the conversation, she shared her thoughts on the dramaâs bold storytelling and the controversy surrounding its exposure scenes.
âThe Queen Who Crownsâ reimagines the life of Queen Wongyeong, who rose to power alongside her husband, King Taejong Lee Bang-won. Unlike previous adaptations that focused on Taejong, this drama presents a female-centered narrative, delving into the love and struggles of the royal couple. Premiering on January 6, the series received attention for its unique storytelling and Cha Joo-youngâs powerful performance.
Controversy Over Exposure Scenes
Dispute Over Nudity Awareness
However, âThe Queen Who Crownsâ also sparked controversy early on due to explicit exposure scenes featuring Cha Joo-young and co-star Lee Yi-dam. Addressing the issue, Cha Joo-young stated, âI think Iâm quite bold when it comes to acting. I have no hesitation in interpreting and portraying a character. But since we were dealing with well-known historical figures, we had to be careful.â
She acknowledged that despite thorough discussions, some aspects were not fully calculated but believed the story would make up for it. While understanding viewersâ concerns, she emphasized that the dramaâs core focus was the Joseon royal coupleâs love story, which they aimed to depict in full.
Cha Joo-young acknowledged the divided audience reactions, saying, âSome might see it as a âbold and commendable attempt,â while others might question, âDid it have to go that far?â There were misunderstandings and concerns, but we carefully deliberated and did our best to make the right choices.â
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The controversy intensified when reports claimed that the actresses were unaware of the extent of nudity during the storyboard stage. According to media reports, the production team increased the level of exposure later in the process. It was alleged that Cha Joo-young and Lee Yi-dam filmed the scenes while wearing clothes, but the production team digitally composited body doubles for the final version. Their agencies reportedly requested edits before the broadcast, but the production team refused, stating the scenes were essential.
In response, The Queen Who Crownsâs production team released an official statement clarifying that the tvN and OTT versions were planned differently from the start, with the OTT version rated R. They asserted that the presence of nudity had been disclosed during casting.
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When asked about this, Cha Joo-young cautiously responded, âIâd rather not talk about it. Itâs a sensitive issue, and Iâm not the only one involved.â However, she emphasized, âI had no objections to depicting a married coupleâs private life. If I could contribute to that portrayal, I wanted to do so. But too many things happened for me to sum it up in one statement.â
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Cha Joo-young also revealed her concerns about the dramaâs fate amid the controversy. âAt one point, I thought it might even be cut short. Thatâs how much I was focused on making sure this drama reached its conclusion. I didnât want the efforts of so many people to go to waste just because of the controversy surrounding me.â
Despite the initial backlash, âThe Queen Who Crownsâ concluded successfully, garnering a final episode rating of 6.6% nationwide (according to Nielsen Korea, based on paid households). The dramaâs unique perspective and strong performances solidified its place as a noteworthy historical series, with Cha Joo-youngâs portrayal of Queen Wongyeong leaving a lasting impact.
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