Cha Joo-young, who recently starred as Queen Wongyeong in the tvN X Tving drama 'Wongyeong', offered insights on her experiences following the show's conclusion on November 11, 2023. The series, which depicted the power struggles of Queen Wongyeong alongside her husband King Taejong, drew attention for its intense drama and character development.
During her post-show interview at a cafe in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, Cha described her work ethic and the support she received from her co-star, Lee Hyun-wook, stating, "I felt very reassured with Lee Hyun-wook. Without him, Wongyeong would not exist." Their synergy on-screen contributed to the dynamic portrayal of their characters' relationship, oscillated between love and rivalry.
Despite initial viewer skepticism, Cha held confidence, voicing her belief, "Our drama, even amid initial concerns, would be recognized for what we aimed to create if people gave it the chance later." She revealed her commitment to the role led her to deeply research the historical figure she portrayed.
Cha emphasized the intensity of portraying nuanced emotions and the challenges presented by the series' intimate scenes, describing her role as both rewarding and burdensome. "The burden of portraying such nuanced emotions alone was intense for me," she noted, reflecting on the responsibility she felt to accurately convey Wongyeong's complex character.
While 'Wongyeong' faced discussions about its content rating—19+ for the Tving version and 15+ for tvN—Cha expressed her awareness of the potential viewer reactions to intimate scenes. "I want viewers to understand our perspective without feeling we're distorting history," she stated. This balancing act of artistic expression and historical fidelity reflected her dedication to the narrative and character development.
Cha also took the opportunity to reflect on how support from her contemporaries, including actress Song Hye-kyo, guided her through the emotional highs and lows of the role. "I am thankful for the guidance from stars like Song Hye-kyo," she mentioned, showing her respect and admiration for fellow actors.'
Following the wrap of 'Wongyeong', Cha Joo-young expressed aspirations for future roles. While articulated during her last interviews were challenges related to the physical demands of the drama, she remained open to pursuing more historical narratives, sharing, "I want to challenge myself but recognize the toll such roles can take on one's health and well-being. It's about finding the right project."
The conversation about 'Wongyeong' exemplified Cha's growth not just as an artist, but as someone grappling with the societal expectations placed upon actors today. "I learned so much throughout this process. It was both exhausting and enlightening," she recalled. Amid the closer of one chapter, she expressed hopes of what lies next on her professional horizon.