Cha Joo Young and Lee Hyun Wook bid farewell to the years of regret in the Joseon they helped build.
The final episode of The Queen Who Crowns recorded its highest ratings yet, with a nationwide average viewership of 6.6% and a peak of 8.0%.
In this episode, Wonkyeong (played by Cha Joo Young) and Yi Bang Won (Lee Hyun Wook) endured the heartbreaking loss of their youngest son, Grand Prince Seongnyeong.
Prince Seongnyeong’s last moment was that of his parents being amicable/harmonious right after Queen Wongyeong mentioned his birth felt like a gift from the heavens to prevent the King & Queen from being divided. He turned out to be exactly that at the end #TheQueenWhoCrownsEp12 pic.twitter.com/EjiyGmyich
— Sam (@UserSsam) February 10, 2025
Their grief deepened when Crown Prince Yangnyeong decided not to attend the gathering honoring his late brother. While the rest of the family gathered to say their final goodbyes, Yangnyeong chose to go hunting instead. Overcome with despair, Yi Bang Won cried out, “How can you still call yourself human?” Yangnyeong could no longer escape the growing doubts about his ability to rule.
Ultimately, Yi Bang Won removed Yangnyeong as heir and passed the throne to Chungnyeong, who later became King Sejong (Lee Jun Young), the ruler who led Joseon into its golden age.
The story then fast-forwarded to the second year of Sejong’s reign, where Wonkyeong told Yi Bang Won, “You worked hard to be a good king.” He replied, “I made it this far because of you.” Just as it seemed they could finally find peace, time proved unforgiving—Wonkyeong’s health declined due to malaria.
This was more powerful than a love confession 💯He finally confessed she had monarch qualities more than him if only she wasn’t a woman..
Queen finally getting to hear this AFTER GOING THROUGH all that🥺 #TheQueenWhoCrownsEp12 #LeeHyunwook #ChaJooyoungpic.twitter.com/LPpS14Lepj— Fi🌸 (@Fifi1700) February 11, 2025
He really loved the queen, but his ego and insecurities consumed him during his reign. #TheQueenWhoCrowns#TheQueenWhoCrownsEp12 pic.twitter.com/rQWbgLysu4
— 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑖𝑙🦢 (@soleilxzz) February 10, 2025
In her final moments, she reassured Yi Bang Won, saying, “Even if we hadn’t become king and queen, as long as I had you by my side, I would have lived a completely happy life.” She comforted her husband as he blamed himself for her fate.
Yi Bang Won then pleaded with his now-king son to honor Wonkyeong as a true hero of the dynasty. In response, Sejong personally carried his mother on his back, bringing her to the palace one last time. As he performed his final dance for her, Wonkyeong watched with a warm smile, embracing her last moment.
one last dance for the queen who crowned. not only her husband, but also the greatest king in joseon’s history. her son, king sejong. #thequeenwhocrowns #thequeenwhocrownsep12 pic.twitter.com/hWteq9R6jV
— tallyn (@girlinyearning) February 10, 2025
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