Queenmaker
Queenmaker (Korean: 퀸메이커) is a 2023 South Korean political television series written by Moon Ji-young and directed by Oh Jin-seok. It stars Kim Hee-ae, Moon So-ri, and Ryu Soo-young. All eleven episodes were released simultaneously on Netflix on April 14, 2023. The series received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the performances of its lead actresses and its portrayal of chaebol influence on South Korean politics.
| Queenmaker | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 퀸메이커 |
| RR | Kwinmeikeo |
| MR | K'winmeik'ŏ |
| Genre | Political drama[1] |
| Developed by | Netflix |
| Written by | Moon Ji-young |
| Directed by | Oh Jin-seok |
| Starring | |
| Music by |
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| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 11 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Editor | Yang Dong-yeop |
| Running time | 62–74 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | April 14, 2023 |
Queenmaker (Korean: 퀸메이커) is a 2023 South Korean political television series written by Moon Ji-young and directed by Oh Jin-seok. It stars Kim Hee-ae, Moon So-ri, and Ryu Soo-young. All eleven episodes were released simultaneously on Netflix on April 14, 2023.[2][3]
The series received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the performances of its lead actresses and its portrayal of chaebol influence on South Korean politics.
Synopsis
[edit]Hwang Do-hee (Kim Hee-ae) is the head of the corporate strategy team at the powerful Eunsung Group, where she has spent over a decade as a skilled fixer — burying scandals, neutralizing opponents, and protecting the wealthy chaebol family that employs her. After a subordinate's suicide, caused in part by Do-hee's own cover-up work, shatters her conscience, she defects from Eunsung and resolves to use her political skills for a different purpose.
She approaches Oh Kyung-sook (Moon So-ri), a blunt, principled human rights lawyer known as "the Rhinoceros" for her tenacious advocacy on behalf of workers and the marginalized. Do-hee persuades Kyung-sook to enter the race for mayor of Seoul, becoming her campaign manager. The two women must navigate an increasingly ruthless battle against Eunsung's preferred candidate, Baek Jae-min (Ryu Soo-young), as the conglomerate deploys its financial power, media connections, and legal resources to ensure his election. Kyung-sook and Do-hee represent opposing instincts — principled idealism versus calculated pragmatism — and the series examines the tension between those two forces as the election reaches its climax.[4]
Cast
[edit]Main
[edit]- Kim Hee-ae as Hwang Do-hee: the former head of the strategic planning office at Eunsung Group. A sharp and experienced political operative, she serves as Oh Kyung-sook's campaign manager after breaking with the corporation that employed her.[5]
- Moon So-ri as Oh Kyung-sook: a human rights lawyer and labor advocate nicknamed "the Rhinoceros of Justice." She enters the Seoul mayoral race as an underdog candidate backed by Do-hee.
- Ryu Soo-young as Baek Jae-min: a charismatic politician running for mayor of Seoul with the backing of Eunsung Group, and the principal electoral opponent of Oh Kyung-sook.[6]
Supporting
[edit]- Seo Yi-sook as Son Young-sim: the chairwoman of Eunsung Group and the dominant force behind the conglomerate's political maneuvering.[7]
- Kim Tae-hoon as Ma Joong-seok: Do-hee's ex-husband, who serves as director of policy at the National Reform Party.[8]
- Ok Ja-yeon as Guk Ji-yeon: a former secretary of Eun Chae-ryeong who becomes the strategic planning director for Kyung-sook's campaign.[9]
- Jin Kyung as Seo Min-jeong: an established liberal politician known as "the servant of the common people" who becomes an unexpected rival in the mayoral race.[10]
- Lee Geung-young as Carl Yoon: a veteran political strategist in the Baek Jae-min camp with a long history of managing elections.[11]
- Kim Byeong-ok as Yang Sun-dong: a senior party leader and national organizer for Oh Kyung-sook's political faction.[12]
- Yoon Ji-hye as Eun Seo-jin: the younger sister of Eun Chae-ryeong.
- Kim Sae-byuk as Eun Chae-ryeong: managing director of Eunsung Group and wife of Baek Jae-min.[13]
- Seo Eun-ah as Seon-young: a field operative in Oh Kyung-sook's campaign team.[14]
- Kim Ho-jung as Lee Cha-sun: a senior political veteran and a key supporter of Hwang Do-hee.[15]
- Ki Do-hoon as Yoon Dong-joo: a young aide who becomes increasingly involved in the mayoral campaign on Kyung-sook's behalf.[16]
- Kim Sun-young as Kim Hwa-soo: the general manager of a female workers' coalition, who fought against labor abuses at Eunsung Department Store.[16]
- Park Sang-hoon as Kang Hyun-woo: Oh Kyung-sook's son.[16]
- Hyeon Bong-sik as Kang Moon-bok: Oh Kyung-sook's husband.[16]
Production
[edit]Queenmaker was written by Moon Ji-young, whose previous credits include Who Are You: School 2015, and directed by Oh Jin-seok, known for Love with Flaws (2019).[17] The project was developed as a Netflix original series, with production handled by Insight Film, Studio Focus X, and AStory. It was formally announced in January 2023 alongside other titles in Netflix Korea's 2023 lineup.[18]
Casting of the lead roles was confirmed in November 2021 when it was announced that Kim Hee-ae and Moon So-ri would star together.[19] Ryu Soo-young's casting was confirmed shortly after.[20] Principal photography took place in Seoul, South Korea.
Reception
[edit]Queenmaker received generally positive reviews from critics. Writing for NME, the reviewer praised the series as "riveting," highlighting the performances of its lead actresses and describing its depiction of political maneuvering as "absolutely riveting," while noting that its villains were at times one-dimensional.[21] Ready Steady Cut called it the best K-drama of 2023 to that point, writing that it understood "storytelling fundamentals" and comparing its themes of corporate hegemony to those of Succession.[22]
But Why Tho noted that the series moved from a fixer drama into a political one with surprising range, with class and gender "woven into the narrative" throughout.[23] Some reviewers drew comparisons to American political dramas such as Scandal and House of Cards. Not all responses were positive; critics at DM Talkies argued the series failed to critically engage with the structural differences between men and women in politics, calling it a "serious miss" in its handling of feminist themes.[24]
Accolades
[edit]| Publisher | Year | Listicle | Placement | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time | 2023 | The 10 Best Korean Dramas of 2023 on Netflix | Included | [25] |
References
[edit]- ^ Kwak Yeon-soo (March 17, 2023). "Kim Hee-ae, Moon So-ri team up for Netflix political drama 'Queenmaker'". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
- ^ Kim Ji-won (January 17, 2023). '더글로리' 파트2→'D.P.' 시즌2...넷플릭스, 올해 한국 작품 28편 공개 ['The Glory' Part 2 → 'DP' Season 2... Netflix to release 28 Korean titles this year]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ Kim Na-yeon (March 17, 2023). 김희애X문소리의 정치쇼..넷플릭스 '퀸메이커', 4월 14일 공개[공식] [Kim Hee-ae X Moon So-ri's political show...Netflix 'Queen Maker', released on April 14 [Official]] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023 – via Naver.
- ^ "Queenmaker". Netflix. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ Park Soo-in (November 22, 2021). 김희애 문소리, 넷플릭스 '퀸메이커' 출연 확정 '역대급 워맨스 예고 [Kim Hee-ae and Moon So-ri confirmed to appear on Netflix's 'Queen Maker'] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021 – via Naver.
- ^ Yoo Byung-cheol (November 24, 2021). 류수영, 넷플릭스 '퀸메이커' 출연 확정...김희애-문소리와 대립 예고 [Ryu Soo-young confirmed to appear in Netflix's 'Queenmaker'... Kim Hee-ae and Moon So-ri and confrontation notice] (in Korean). Korea Economy TV. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021 – via Naver.
- ^ Park, A-reum (August 26, 2022). 서이숙 '퀸메이커→슈룹' 이어 '나쁜 엄마' 캐스팅 '열일 행보'[공식]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ Moon Ji-yeon (November 25, 2021). [공식] 김태훈, '퀸 메이커' 출연 확정..김희애·문소리 호흡 [[Official] Kim Tae-hoon confirmed to appear in 'Queen Maker'... Kim Hee-ae and Moon So-ri]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Kim Ha-young (September 21, 2022). [인터뷰] '빅마우스' 옥자연 "매번 다른 연기 선보이고 싶어요" (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ Moon Ji-yeon (March 30, 2023). 김희애·문소리 만드는 정치쇼..'퀸메이커' 메인 포스터·예고편 공개 [A political show that makes Kim Hee-ae and Moon So-ri...'Queen Maker' main poster and trailer released] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ Ha Kyung-heon (June 23, 2022). [스경연예연구소] 이경영, '또경영'의 명과 암 (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ Kim Na-yul (October 14, 2022). [종합]"가족들 내게 불만"..'금쪽상담소' 김병옥, 황혼 이혼 두려운 들러리 가장 (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ '퀸메이커' 김새벽, 떠난 비행기도 돌릴 듯한 강렬 비주얼. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ Ahn Byung-gil (April 17, 2023). 서은아 '퀸메이커' 키플레이어 뜬다 [Seo Eun-ah to be the key player in 'Queen Maker'] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ 김, 채연. 김희애 이끌던 선배..김호정, '퀸메이커' 막강 라인업의 화룡점정. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ a b c d 퀸메이커 1위 김희애X문소리 조합 '통'했다. 국제뉴스 (in Korean). April 19, 2023. Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ "'Queenmaker' Netflix K-Drama Season 1: Everything We Know So Far". What's on Netflix. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ Park Jeong-sun (January 17, 2023). '경성크리처'부터 '퀸메이커'까지...2023 넷플릭스 韓 라인업 [From 'Kyungsung Creature' to 'Queen Maker'... 2023 Netflix Korea Lineup]. JTBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Park Soo-in (November 22, 2021). 김희애 문소리, 넷플릭스 '퀸메이커' 출연 확정 '역대급 워맨스 예고 [Kim Hee-ae and Moon So-ri confirmed to appear on Netflix's 'Queen Maker'] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021 – via Naver.
- ^ Yoo Byung-cheol (November 24, 2021). 류수영, 넷플릭스 '퀸메이커' 출연 확정...김희애-문소리와 대립 예고 [Ryu Soo-young confirmed to appear in Netflix's 'Queenmaker'] (in Korean). Korea Economy TV. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021 – via Naver.
- ^ "Queenmaker review: a majestically Machiavellian political K-drama". NME. April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ "Queenmaker Season 1 Review – A riveting female-driven drama". Ready Steady Cut. April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- ^ "Queenmaker Review". But Why Tho?. April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- ^ "Queenmaker Review: Can We Ever Tell Good Stories About Women And Power?". DM Talkies. April 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ De Guzman, Chad (December 27, 2023). "The 10 Best Korean Dramas of 2023 on Netflix". Time. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Queenmaker on Netflix
- Queenmaker at IMDb
- Queenmaker at HanCinema
