Under the Queen's Umbrella
We had this concept that the politics in King's Harem/ Queen's palace is sometimes more drastic and complicatedly impactful than the politics of the whole empire/ dynasty!
Historically, I know from our own ancestorial history, which has been one of the most glorious and magnificent empire in the world's history, The Mughal Empire, a history of us, our Bengal (the whole Indian Sub-continent).
And the same system shows the in the Chinese and Korean dynasty/empire as well.
Especially the internal politics inside of the palace, where resides the kingdom of Queens and concubines/consorts etc.
I find those home-politics are more intriguing and exciting to read/watch, which remained under the veil of dominating patriarch of the history. Regardless, some people of found those stories of history, search and bring to the spotlight for the enthusiasts. Those handful people have shown an amazing work of their talent in their works certainly.
Some recent TV series of Korean industry have shown some fabulous work in this genre. And so far,
the best work to me on the historical theme is Under The Queen’s Umbrella
I chose it to remark as Number-1 historical drama for internal politics of the palace
Needless to mention, Korean industry has been doing many historical dramas on various themes. Some are similar, where it focus more on the internal politics of palace Queens's, concubines, and relatives of the King and Queen with the play of power.
But I think this is the only drama, where it is solely focused on a Queen of the palace.
But being the mother of the Crown Prince definitely does make one Queen
Our Ryeong is the mother of the Crown Prince. However, being Queen does not make her to breath relief. Rather it is an extremely dangerous position, which hang in the thin thread of life and death. One mistake, and there is only one consequence of that mistake. Death of the whole family! Every damn person around her is like vulture, waiting with the patience of the world, playing dirty always to tear her and her children apart.
To make matter worse, she has another 4 children (whom are called Grand Prices, as the brother of Crown Prince and sons of the Queen), who are the faces of absolute notoriousness.
A drastic catastrophe befall on the family when the Crown Prince fall sick. A sickness that has a hereditary history of death of the previous princes. All the vultures started to move their pieces on the board.
For them, it is time to kill the sick prince and claim the throne. All the other concubines and consorts started to prepare their princes for the throne while dragging the Queen with her children mercilessly.
Precisely, our Queen mom is not a show piece either.
Though it remains the question, for how long she will be able to cover for everyone and battle alone for the sake to protect the family and the kingdom. Her eldest son is deadly sick, yet she has no time to even grief for her son, something she even have to hide from the King himself.
Then there is measures for the worst case (if the crown prince dies) to take, which is preparing one of the grand princes for the next Crown Prince, that seemed like almost impossible to begin with.
Because, it is a custom to let the grand princes be spoiled in indulgence instead of strict education like Crown-Prince, so that the CP does not feel threatened by his brothers. Which is why, the free soul grand princes grew up with an absolute indulgence since the childhood.
And amidst all, the internal battle with the Grand-queen (the mother of King) absolutely detest the Queen, is also aiming for the chance to replace the Queen with her favored Concubine.
There is romance, thriller, action, mystery, humor, and comedy.
It will make sure you ride the roller coaster of all kind of emotions with the Queen, under her umbrella!
However, this is not like our usual hero-heroine story.
Or it can be said that, there is only a HEROINE and that's all.
There was some ideologies (which might seemed odd to fit it) were presented in such a fascinating a way, that left me wonder, how amazing one's imagination can be to demonstrate such thing, while focusing on the time line.
My most favorite frame was this one.
