Queen Seondeok: Review, Story, Cast, Episodes, Release Date, Budget & More

Queen Seondeok

“Queen Seondeok” is a 2009 South Korean historical drama produced by MBC for its 48th founding anniversary, starring Lee Yo-won, Go Hyun-jung, Uhm Tae-woong, Kim Nam-gil, and Park Ye-jin. It aired on MBC from May to December 2009 for 62 episodes, chronicling the life of Queen Seondeok of Silla. This epic saga became a ratings juggernaut, topping TV charts almost every week and peaking at 43.6 percent viewership, while sweeping the 2009 MBC Drama Awards. Filmed at MBC Dramia and Shilla Millennium Park, the series tells the remarkable true story of Korea’s first female ruler who reigned during the Three Kingdoms period. Available on various streaming platforms, this sweeping historical masterpiece combines political intrigue, romance, and military strategy across decades. Go Hyun-jung’s performance as the villainous Lady Mishil received near-universal acclaim and a Grand Prize win, creating one of K-drama’s most memorable antagonists. With elaborate costumes, massive battle sequences, and complex character development spanning 62 hours, this remains one of the greatest Korean historical dramas ever produced.

Queen Seondeok: Release Date, Story, Plot, Episodes, Cast, Actors Salary, Actors Net Worth, Budget, OTT Response, Trailer, Songs, Awards, Review, Ratings & More

InfoQueen Seondeok
GenreHistorical Fiction
Romance
Action
LanguageKorean
Directed byKim Geun-hong
Park Hong-kyun
Star CastLee Yo-won
Go Hyun-jung
Park Ye-jin
Uhm Tae-woong
Kim Nam-gil
Production
companies
Time Box Production
Written byKim Young-hyun
Park Sang-yeon
CinematographyArtur Zurawski
Music byLim Ha-young
CountrySouth Korea
Original networkMBC
Original release25 May – 22 December 2009
Running timeMBC

Queen Seondeok Storyline

A prophecy warns that the Silla royal family won’t have male descendants once twins are born. When King Jinpyeong’s wife bears twin daughters—Cheonmyeong and Deokman, the king secretly sends Deokman away to the Taklamakan Desert in China to protect her from Lady Mishil’s assassination attempts. Raised as a commoner and merchant, Deokman eventually returns to Silla disguised as a man, wondering about her true origins. She joins the elite Hwarang warriors where she meets Kim Yusin, forming an alliance to defeat the power-hungry Lady Mishil who manipulates kings and controls the court through seduction and ruthless ambition. As Deokman’s royal identity is revealed, she must overcome countless obstacles, political conspiracies, and personal sacrifices to become Silla’s first female monarch.

Queen Seondeok Cast, Crew, Role, Salary, Remuneration & Net Worth

Here are the complete details of actors and actresses names in the Web Series.

1.Lee Yo-won as Princess Deokman

Lee Yo won as Princess Deokman
InfoPrincess Deokman
Real NameLee Yo-won
Salary Per Web Series$99,900
Net Worth$30–40 million

2.Nam Ji-hyun as young Deokman

Nam Ji-hyun as young Deokman
Info Young Deokman
Real NameNam Ji-hyun 
Salary Per Web Series$99,900
Net WorthNot Known

3.Go Hyun-jung as Lady Mishi

Go Hyun-jung as Lady Mishi
InfoLady Mishi
Real NameGo Hyun-jung
Salary Per Web Series$51,000
Net Worth$38 million

4.Uee as young Mishil

Uee as young Mishil
InfoYoung Mishil
Real NameUee
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

5.Park Ye-jin as Princess Cheonmyeong

Park Ye-jin as Princess Cheonmyeong
InfoPrincess Cheonmyeong
Real NamePark Ye-jin
Salary Per Web Series$170,000
Net Worth$15 million

6.Uhm Tae-woong as Kim Yushin

Uhm Tae-woong as Kim Yushin
Info Kim Yushin
Real NameUhm Tae-woong
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

7.Kim Nam-gil as Bidam

Kim Nam-gil as Bidam
InfoBidam
Real NameKim Nam-gil
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

8.Yoo Seung-ho as Kim Chunchu 

Yoo Seung-ho as Kim Chunchu 
InfoKim Chunchu
Real NameYoo Seung-ho
Salary Per Web Series$423,000 to $1 million
Net WorthNot Known

9.Lee Seung-hyo as Kim Alcheon

Lee Seung-hyo as Kim Alcheon
InfoKim Alcheon
Real NameLee Seung-hyo
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

10.Jo Min-ki as King Jinpyeong

Jo Min-ki as King Jinpyeong
InfoKing Jinpyeong
Real NameJo Min-ki
Salary Per Web SeriesNot Known
Net WorthNot Known

Queen Seondeok Web Series Awards

AwardsCategoryRecipients
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Queen Seondeok Review

“Queen Seondeok” is an absolute masterpiece that stands among the greatest historical K-dramas ever created. Go Hyun-jung delivers a legendary performance as Lady Mishil, creating one of television’s most complex villains who’s simultaneously terrifying, sympathetic, and utterly captivating with her permanent strategic smile. Lee Yo-won brilliantly portrays Deokman’s transformation from naive girl to powerful queen, while Kim Nam-gil’s Bidam adds emotional depth with his tortured devotion. At 62 episodes, the length initially seems daunting, but the rich storytelling, complex political intrigue, stunning battle choreography, and profound character development make every episode essential. Yes, it takes historical liberties for dramatic purposes, and the pacing occasionally drags, but the emotional resonance, philosophical depth about leadership and power, plus the exploration of what it means to rule with wisdom versus ambition creates unforgettable television. This isn’t just entertainment, it’s a profound meditation on destiny, sacrifice, and the loneliness of leadership that’ll stay with you long after the bittersweet ending.

Disclaimer: The Data is collected from various sources and some from our own research. These data can be estimated and Primes World does not make any claims about the authenticity of the data.