“Queen Woo” Declared “Worst OTT Series of 2024” Despite Massive 30 Billion Won Budget

“Queen Woo” Named Worst OTT Series of 2024

Tving’s epic historical drama “Queen Woo” has been designated as the least favorable OTT series of 2024. This conclusion was based on a recent survey conducted by TV Daily, engaging 100 professionals within the entertainment industry and journalists from December 17 to 26, where “Queen Woo” garnered 24 votes, securing its spot at the top of the list.

Overview of the Series

With an estimated production budget of around 30 billion won, the series features a star-studded cast including Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Mu-yeol, Ji Chang-wook, Jeong Yu-mi, and Lee Soo-hyuk. The plot revolves around Woo Hee, also known as Queen Woo, who is faced with the daunting task of crowning a new king within just 24 hours following the sudden death of the reigning monarch. Despite its ambitions of offering a gripping depiction of historical events, the series has been marred by criticism over its explicit content.

Controversy Surrounding Explicit Content

The incorporation of excessive nudity and sexual scenes has stirred considerable controversy. Actress Jeong Yu-mi, who took part in several bold scenes, defended the necessity of these elements during an August press conference, asserting they were critical for preserving narrative tension. Nonetheless, this rationale failed to quell the backlash regarding the show’s explicitness.

Critics from within the industry vehemently expressed their disapproval of the series’ sexual content. One insider noted, “The excessive sexual scenes interfere with the development of the story,” while another suggested that, although there might have been an attempt to align with historical accuracy, the raunchy elements detracted from the series’ overall quality.

Reception of Performances

The performances themselves have also faced scrutiny, particularly that of lead actress Jeon Jong-seo, whose portrayal was considered lacking in authenticity by some viewers, who critiqued her delivery and enunciation of lines.

Rankings and Other Contenders

Following “Queen Woo” in the survey results was Netflix’s “Goodbye Earth,” taking second place with 18 votes. In a tie for third place, both “Chicken Nugget” and “Sweet Home Season 3” received 17 votes. “Gyeongseong Creature Season 2” situated fourth with 13 votes, while the fifth position was claimed by “The Eight Show” with 12 votes. Other mentions included Disney+’s “Red Swan” (10 votes), Netflix’s “Hierarchy” (9 votes), “Hellbound Season 2” (6 votes), and “Trunk” (5 votes). Disney+’s “Uncle Samsik” and Coupang Play’s “Cinderella at 2 AM” shared the 10th spot, each receiving 4 votes.

Interestingly, “Queen Woo” was also previously recognized in a list of the TOP 8 Worst K-dramas of 2024, compiled by the esteemed magazine JoyNews24, leveraging feedback from 200 industry experts.

Source & Images