Mr. Queen - Characters & Cast

Bong-hwan's primary motivation is survival and returning to his own body in the 21st century. This singular goal drives his initial chaotic actions. However, as he becomes entangled in palace intrigue and develops feelings for King Cheoljong, his motivation shifts. He becomes driven by a desire to protect the king, ensure justice for the people, and correct the historical record, even at the risk of being trapped in the past forever.

Initially, Jang Bong-hwan is an arrogant, womanizing modern chef. When his soul enters Queen Cheorin's body, his arc is one of profound transformation. He moves from pure selfishness, focused only on returning home, to developing deep empathy and affection for the people of the Joseon era. The experience forces him to confront his own prejudices about gender and class. As he and the original So-yong's memories merge, he evolves into a clever and compassionate leader who uses his modern knowledge to protect the king and fight corruption. The arc is a journey from cynicism to heroism, culminating in him fundamentally changing history and his own character.

Cheoljong's core motivation is to avenge his family's tragic past and dismantle the corrupt power structure of the clans to become a true king for his people. He hides his abilities and ambitions to survive while gathering allies and evidence. His love for Queen Cheorin becomes a new, powerful motivation, as he finds in her a partner who understands his goals and is willing to fight alongside him.

King Cheoljong is introduced as a weak, easygoing figurehead, a puppet controlled by the powerful Andong Kim clan. His arc is one of revealing his true nature. Beneath the facade, he is intelligent, highly skilled in martial arts, and secretly plotting to reclaim his authority to rule for the good of his people. Initially distrustful of his new queen, her bizarre behavior slowly intrigues and then endears him to her. Her influence emboldens him, and their alliance turns into a genuine partnership and romance. He grows from a hidden revolutionary into a confident and righteous king who learns to trust and love.

Her motivation is the preservation and expansion of her family's (the Andong Kim clan's) power at all costs. She is ruthless in her efforts to maintain control over the throne and the country, viewing any action by the king as a direct threat to her authority. Her political survival is paramount.

As the late King Sunjo's widow, she is the true power behind the throne, wielding immense political influence through her Andong Kim clan. She is a master of political maneuvering and sees King Cheoljong as her pawn. Her arc is less about change and more about the gradual erosion of her power. Queen Cheorin's unpredictable nature and alliance with the king consistently thwart her plans. She remains a formidable antagonist throughout, representing the old, corrupt guard that Cheoljong must overcome. While depicted as a villain, the series also shows her human side, making her a complex and sometimes even likable character.

Driven by extreme ambition, his goal is to secure ultimate power for himself and his clan. He is not content to simply be the power behind the throne; he wants the throne itself. This insatiable greed motivates his every move, from political scheming to assassination attempts.

As the younger brother of Grand Queen Dowager Sunwon, Kim Jwa-geun is the embodiment of the Andong Kim clan's ambition and cruelty. He is the primary enforcer of the clan's will and the main antagonist to King Cheoljong's plans. His character arc is a straightforward descent into desperation as he sees his power slipping away due to the king and queen's actions. He becomes increasingly ruthless, culminating in a final, treasonous attempt to seize the throne himself, which ultimately leads to his downfall and humiliation.