Episode 1 of Queen Woo commences amidst the tumultuous reign of King Go Nam-u, embarked on a heroic quest to reclaim the territories unjustly seized by the Han Dynasty during the waning days of his predecessor's rule. As he wages war, far from the serene confines of the palace, he entrusts his beloved Queen Woo-hee and the stalwart Prime Minister Eul Pa-so with the reins of power.
However, in the shadow of the king's absence, dark currents stir. Hae Dae-bu, a powerful figure from the West, harbors ambitions of seizing the throne's glory. Meanwhile, the formidable Queen's family from the North bears down on her, demanding an heir to secure the future of their lineage.
The narrative opens with a gripping battle scene, where blood paints the battlefield and victory hangs in the balance. Amidst the chaos, a figure dressed in the armor of a warrior emerges, revealing herself as none other than Queen Woo-hee. Discreetly slipping away from the palace's confines, she seeks out a skilled ironsmith, commissioning him to restore a bronze sword imbued with history. The artisan promises a month's labor, and the queen, her voice laced with urgency, implores him to handle the artifact with utmost care before departing.
As she makes her way back, accompanied by her loyal bodyguard, a group of unwitting men, mistaking her for an easy mark, attempt to trail her. Little do they know, they have stumbled upon royalty itself. Swiftly, the queen and her guardians neutralize the threat, and reinforcements arrive, heralded by the revelation of her true identity—Queen Woo-hee.
On the battlefield, King Go Nam-u's determination to reclaim his kingdom's stolen lands burns bright. Flanked by Mu-gol, a trusted confidant, and a fellow prince, he rallies his troops with a fiery speech. The Great Shaman, Sa-bi, conducts a ritual to glimpse the king's fate, foreseeing his demise yet choosing to deceive him, weaving a tale of triumph. Empowered by this false prophecy, the king leads his army into battle, where ferocity meets steel. Despite sustaining an injury while shielding Mu-gol, the king's resolve remains unshaken, driving him to ultimate victory.
Back at the palace, tensions escalate as the Hae clan pressures Eul Pa-so, the Prime Minister, to expedite decisions on matters of state. Unyielding, Eul Pa-so stands firm, and Queen Woo-hee steps forward, her presence a bastion of support. The court is stunned by the king's unorthodox decision to entrust his throne to her, granting her the authority to rule in his stead. Following the meeting, the leaders of the Hae and Go clans conspire in secret, whispering of deposing the queen, for she bears no heir to solidify her claim.Despite their clandestine schemes, Queen Woo remains keenly aware of the rival clans' relentless pursuit to usurp her throne. Her mind, however, is preoccupied with the unfolding battle's intricacies. Eul Pa-so, her trusted advisor, brings her dire news—the enemy has shifted their strategy, casting doubt on King Go Nam-u's victory. Undeterred, Queen Woo, a woman of profound strategic acumen and lightning-quick wit, conceives a brilliant countermeasure, leaving Eul Pa-so in awe, jesting that if fate had been different, she would have reigned as a king.
With news of the King's triumphant return echoing through the palace, preparations for his grand reception commence. Queen Woo meticulously adorns herself in her finest attire, only to be confronted with a stark reality upon entering the King's chambers—he, surrounded by concubines, receives medical attention. Though her heart aches at the sight, she masks her emotions, inquiring solely about his health and observing the doctors' ministrations with a poised demeanor. Once assured of his well-being, she gracefully transitions to the banquet hall, soothing the jittery nerves of the officials.
Yet, not all hearts rejoice at the King's return. The clans, harboring ambitions of their own, had secretly hoped for his demise. Only the Woo clan, whose very existence is intertwined with the King's safety through their daughter's marriage, fervently prayed for his return. Amidst the celebrations, Mu-gol, consumed by guilt for the King's injury, finds himself confined within the palace's dungeon.
As the Queen presides over the banquet, the King confides in Eul Pa-so his concerns for her safety. Eul Pa-so outlines a strategy to safeguard the Queen from those who wish her harm, but the King's skepticism lingers, questioning his motives. Eul Pa-so insists that his intentions are pure and that this plan is their only recourse.
At the banquet's height, the Hae family patriarch voices his apprehension over the King's grave injuries, suggesting he should not be present. But the King, in a defiant display, enters the hall, his presence a tacit rebuke to his enemies. He scans the room, visibly displeased by Jolbon's absence, before offering a solemn toast to the fallen soldiers and assuming his throne with a quiet resolve.
Queen Woo, ever the voice of reason, urges him to retire and recuperate, but he remains steadfast, acknowledging the lurking danger posed by the officials, likening them to wolves eager for a prey. He clings to the hope that with his brothers securing their domains, his throne remains secure.
As the festivities continue, the Go family, seizing an opportune moment, presents gifts to the King, using his injury as a pretext to broach the delicate matter of succession. They brazenly demand the Queen's dethronement for failing to bear a male heir, provoking the King's ire. He warns them to desist, but their persistence only fuels his anger, prompting him to dismiss them from the banquet with a stern command.
As the Go family's departure echoes through the palace halls, the King too embarks on his own journey, leaving behind a swirl of intrigue. Yet, the Go and Hae clans are merely warming up to the game, with a third faction slyly positioning itself to seize the coveted throne of the queen, should fate present an opening. The Hae family stealthily reaches out to their covert operative, The Hidden One, weaving deeper into the web of intrigue.
Myeong-rim's daring gambit to demand the queen's abdication sends ripples of unease through the King's heart. He seeks the counsel of Eul Pa-so, vowing to personally navigate this treacherous terrain. Meanwhile, Eul Pa-so's chessboard battle with the Queen rages on, her pieces hemmed in yet her spirit undaunted.
In a solemn encounter, the King confronts the Queen, his words laden with gravity. He reveals the necessity of her voluntary step-down before his adversaries force her hand, his intentions noble—to shield her and offer her a chance at flight before they can strike. He pledges to orchestrate her escape, promising safe passage to an uncertain future. Amidst this emotional turmoil, the Queen's mind drifts back to a blissful memory, where the King regaled her with tales of his trusty messenger bird, a symbol of hope amidst adversity.
Her reverie shattered by a servant's abrupt announcement, the Queen stands frozen, the news of the King's demise shattering her world. Words fail her as she grapples with the magnitude of her loss, the shock a suffocating embrace that threatens to consume her very being.
