The Queen Who Crowns- Episodes 9-10
Just when we thought the palace had seen enough scheming, things take an even wilder turn! This week’s episodes bring high-stakes betrayals, secret plots, family exiles, and an all-out fight for survival—both political and literal. Won-kyung is once again caught in the middle of it all, but let’s be real—she was born for this. So grab your tea, because the drama is boiling over! ☕
Royal Proposals & The Ultimate Girlboss Test 👑
Lee Suk-beom is out here playing matchmaker with the king, proposing his daughter as the future crown princess to prove his undying loyalty. Meanwhile, Won-kyung is already ten steps ahead. She learns that Suk-beom’s daughter once falsely accused her maid of theft just to avoid returning a ring (yikes!). So instead of blindly accepting the proposal, our queen does what she does best—she tests them.
On her way to meet Pan-su, she notices a humble, kind-hearted girl who she thinks is way more suited to be the crown princess. And because Won-kyung is always on her detective game, she also tells Pan-su to investigate the people giving the crown prince expensive bows—because those “gifts” look a whole lot like bribes. 🤔
The Cotton Weaving Showdown 🎭
To settle the crown princess debate, Won-kyung organizes a cotton weaving competition (because what’s a palace drama without some dramatic tests?). Suk-beom’s daughter and the queen’s chosen candidate go head-to-head. But guess what? Chae-ryeong—our resident sneaky snake—helps Suk-beom’s daughter cheat by slipping her a pre-woven cloth. 😒
The next day, Won-kyung calls her bluff and asks her to weave on the spot. Surprise, surprise—she can’t do it. The queen exposes the fraud and, despite Bang-won backing Suk-beom’s daughter, she declares her own candidate as the new crown princess. One win for Team Won-kyung! 🎉
Betrayal, Exile & A King Who Loves Chaos
Meanwhile, the queen’s brother submits a corruption report, calling out greedy royal relatives. The king, in celebration of the new crown princess, pardons prisoners, but some of them immediately turn around and accuse the queen’s brothers of misconduct.
The king—because he loves big decisions—orders the queen’s brothers into exile in Jeju. 😱 Won-kyung is devastated, but things go from bad to worse when her father dies, and she finds out Bang-won executed Pan-su, who had stayed loyal to her till the very end. Excuse me, Your Majesty, WHAT?!? 🤬💔
The Queen’s Secret Mission & Charity Corruption
Still mourning Pan-su, Won-kyung sneaks out of the palace to bury his body. But because this woman cannot catch a break, she discovers the charity rice distribution is a complete scam. The rice never reached the starving people, and greedy officials pocketed the money. 😡
Meanwhile, Bang-won is suffering from boils (poetic justice?), and Won-kyung’s brothers in exile start discussing rebellion. At the same time, Chae-ryeong is playing pharmacy politics, trying to control the court’s medical stafffor her own gain.
Won-kyung, ever the investigator, follows Pan-su’s final report and finds out the crown prince was being bribed with expensive bows in exchange for high-ranking positions in the future. WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS PALACE?!? 😵
Episode 10: Rebellion, Corruption & A Queen Who Won’t Quit
Won-kyung immediately writes to the king about the corruption scandal. But before the message can reach him, the royal relative’s spies intercept the monks carrying the letter. One monk is killed, while another barely escapes.
To make things worse, Lee Suk-beom falsely accuses the queen of treason and locks her in a temple (excuse me?!). Meanwhile, Chae-ryeong is still scheming, trying to place her allies in top court positions.
But Won-kyung is not about to sit still. She escapes the temple, makes it to the capital, and orders the people to ring the Drum of Grievance. The noise forces Bang-won to hear the truth—about corruption, missing charity rice, and the attempted attack on the queen.
The royal relative flees, but karma catches up—he’s killed by an angry commoner. 💀 Whew, justice!
Meanwhile, Won-kyung finally banishes Chae-ryeong (good riddance!), but Bang-won orders her brothers to commit suicide. 😭 She visits her mother and reflects on how much the world has changed since Bang-won became king.
Time Skip & A Future Power Struggle?
Years later, the queen is practicing martial arts (because of course she is 🔥), and we meet Grand Prince Changnyeong. He’s smart, calm, and honestly looks like a better king than the crown prince. 👀
Meanwhile, the queen’s younger brothers confront the crown prince, who rudely calls them traitors. The king hears about the argument and notices how easy it is for people to dismiss the crown prince. Uh-oh.
In his chambers, the crown prince ignores his parents’ guidance and orders a rare bow, walking right into the same bribery scandal his mother tried to prevent. 🙃 Sir, please do better.
Elsewhere, Chae-ryeong is still begging for forgiveness, but Bang-won refuses to interfere with Won-kyung’s decision. The episode ends with the queen watching Grand Prince Changnyeong and saying out loud that he would make a great king.
Foreshadowing much? 👀🔥
DramaZen's Opinion
These episodes were INSANE. Won-kyung is fighting battles left and right, Bang-won is executing people like it’s a hobby, and the palace is basically one giant political war zone.
🔹 Won-kyung? Still a QUEEN. She’s uncovering corruption, protecting the people, and taking down palace snakes.
🔹 Bang-won? Losing it. He killed Pan-su, exiled the Min brothers, and fell for every political trap. Someone get this man a therapist.
🔹 Chae-ryeong? Bye, girl. She played too many games and finally got what she deserved.
🔹 The crown prince? A mess. Sir, you had ONE job. Why are you taking bribes?!
With a possible succession crisis looming, corruption spreading, and Won-kyung walking a fine line between power and danger, I cannot WAIT to see what happens next!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
What do you think? Is Won-kyung setting up her son to take the throne instead? Will Bang-won realize the mess he’s made? Let’s discuss! 👇
