Jun. 06, 2012|South Korea|122 Min.|n/A
Genre: Adult;Drama
Description: Set during the early Joseon Dynasty, the film revolves around a former concubine of the late king, who holds no blood relation to her stepson, the current childless and widowed ruler. She devises a plan to replace him with her own submissive young son, Sung-won. However, the timid prince becomes infatuated with Hwa-yeon, the daughter of an aristocrat, who is already in love with Kwon-yoo, a commoner. When Hwa-yeon is sent to the palace as a concubine for the king, the lovers attempt to escape but are caught. In exchange for sparing Kwon-yoo’s life, Hwa-yeon agrees to enter the palace.
Five years later, Hwa-yeon has become queen after bearing the king a son. Sung-won returns from his travels upon hearing of the king’s illness and confesses his feelings to Hwa-yeon with a gift. After the king dies mysteriously, the former concubine places Sung-won on the throne as a puppet ruler, declaring herself Regent and Queen Mother. Hwa-yeon is forced into a closely monitored residence, while her father, a royal minister, is arrested for treason after investigating the king’s death as a poisoning.
Hwa-yeon later discovers Kwon-yoo working as a eunuch in the palace. Though initially relieved to see him, she is met with resentment, as Kwon-yoo was castrated by her father and has since aligned himself with the Queen Mother for power. He rejects Hwa-yeon’s plea for solace, leaving her isolated in the treacherous palace.
Cast director: Kim Dae-seung
Cast actor: Cho Yeo-jeong, Kim Dong-wook, Kim Min-jun, Park Ji-young, Cho Eun-ji, Lee Kyung-young, Ahn Suk-hwan, Park Chul-min
Original name: 후궁: 제왕의 첩