Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 17 of Mr. Queen, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Shin Hye-sun as Kim So-yong, Kim Jyung-hun as King Cheoljong, Seol In-ah as Jo Hwa-jin, Na In-woo as Kim Byeong-in, and Choi Jin-hyuk as Jang Bong-hwan. We also talk about the different hats worn by the nobles and court officials during the Joseon Dynasty.

We discuss:

• The songs featured in the recap: Like a Star by Jang Han-byul and Rebellion by Kim Deuk-su
• How we got whiplash from this episode because it started out funny, then turned sweet, then turned sad, then turned dangerous.
• Jang Bong-hwan’s identity crisis over being pregnant. While the king and the court celebrate, the queen is really upset.
• How the king tries hard to understand the queen, even taking her on a horseback ride to visit the royal villa.
• How the queen is now “all in” with the king, even though it may not be a wide decision.
• The king and queen’s hilarious and scandalous PDA (public display of affection) to counter rumors that they were faking their nights together.
• Jo Hwa-jin’s decision to break with the Jo family and do what she can to support the king’s dreams, including asking the king to depose her as concubine.
• The conflict between the king and Prince Yeongpyeong, who still doesn’t believe that the queen is on their side.
• When the Grand Dowager Queen asked Kim Byeong-in to bring her the queen’s head, he took a no-win situation and turned it into a masterful stroke by threatening the king over the codes in the workbook, convincing the king to leave the palace and put down the Donghak Rebellion, restoring the Grand Dowager Queen’s regency, and saving the queen.
• The king leaves the palace without saying goodbye to the queen, who is left confused and sad.
• The king’s guards turn on him and then he battles against Kim Byeong-in.

References

• All About Korean Traditional Hats
• How to make Korean rice wine or yihwaju