Dramatic Twists in tvN's 'Wonkyung' Captivate Viewers

In the latest episode of the tvN X TVING original drama 'Wonkyung' (원경), which aired on January 28, 2025, actress Cha Joo-young delivered a thrilling performance that left audiences buzzing with excitement. The episode achieved impressive ratings, with a national average of 3.6% and a peak of 4.5%, making it the top show in its time slot across cable and satellite channels (Nielsen Korea).

In this episode, Wonkyung (차주영) and Lee Bang-won (이현욱) joined forces to tackle the housing crisis in Hanyang. Observing their teamwork, court ladies Jeong Sang-gung (소희정) and Seo Sang-gung (정의순) noted how, despite their fierce arguments, the couple shared a deep bond when it came to caring for the people. Lee Bang-won discovered that half of the court officials were unable to find housing in the capital, which hindered their ability to report for duty on time. This was largely due to corrupt officials and relatives who had seized land and homes from the citizens for personal gain. He ordered a thorough investigation into those profiting from inflated housing prices.

Meanwhile, Wonkyung sought out a distant relative, Kim from Banggol (윤지혜), who was known to have significant influence in Hanyang. During their meeting, Kim boldly challenged Wonkyung, questioning the king's power in the city. It was revealed that among those who had purchased land and homes at low prices was Min Mu-gu (한승원). Wonkyung reprimanded her brother for not following her orders to stay low-key, but Min Mu-gu defended his actions, claiming it was his duty as the head of the family to protect their assets.

Returning home with a heavy heart, Wonkyung shared her observations of the harsh realities outside the palace with Lee Bang-won. Although he initially scolded her for overstepping, he listened to her concerns. The next day, he ordered the acquisition of a three-room tiled house near Changdeokgung Palace for five sacks of rice. However, the officials vehemently opposed this, arguing that the buying and selling of homes was a matter of personal freedom. Lee Bang-won stood firm, chastising the officials for their hypocrisy and vowing to address the greed of those exploiting the citizens.

The episode also featured the 'Chinjam Rye' (친잠례), a royal ceremony led by women, where the queen demonstrated sericulture to promote silk farming among the people. Just as the ceremony concluded, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when Lee Seong-gye's half-brother, Myungseon Daebu (최병모), announced his intention to expose corrupt officials who had profited from seizing homes.

In a surprising twist, Min Mu-gu confessed to being blinded by greed and offered to return the seized house to the king. Following his lead, other officials pledged their loyalty as well. Wonkyung seized the moment to pressure Myungseon Daebu to join their cause, revealing her strategic insight into the situation.

Lee Bang-won, witnessing Wonkyung's growing influence, recognized her as a true leader. He ordered a thorough investigation into the corrupt officials colluding with Kim from Banggol and appointed Min Mu-jil (김우담) as the new head of the Supreme Court, aiming to incite conflict between the key factions. Additionally, he accepted advice from Ha Ryun (최덕문) to arrange a marriage for the crown prince, seeking to strengthen their position.

As the episode drew to a close, the selection process for the crown princess began. The relatives openly supported the ambitious Lee Suk-beon (박용우) in pushing for his daughter, while other candidates appeared to be mere placeholders. Ultimately, the daughters of Lee Suk-beon and Kim Han-ro emerged as the final contenders. Wonkyung emphasized the need for a fair competition, rejecting any favoritism from the relatives. The episode ended on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers eager to see how the dynamics between Wonkyung and Lee Bang-won will unfold as they prepare to welcome their first daughter-in-law.

'Wonkyung' airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 PM on tvN, with two episodes released early on TVING every Monday at 2 PM. The prequel, 'Wonkyung: The Connection of Dano' (원경: 단오의 인연), is also available on TVING.