Actor Cha Joo-young / Courtesy of Ghost Studio

After leaving a strong impression with her portrayal of antagonist Hye-jeong in "The Glory," Cha Joo-young has made an about-turn by appearing in the historical drama "The Queen Who Crowns." Making her debut in a period drama, the 34-year-old actor has not only taken on her first leading role but has also redefined her acting career with a new iconic character.

The drama, set in the late Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) and early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), delves into the untold story of Queen Wongyeong, a pivotal figure in the rise of her husband, Yi Bang-won, who later became Joseon's third monarch King Taejong. While many historical dramas have focused on King Taejong, this series ventured to offer a unique perspective by centering on the queen's experiences and the complexities of her relationship with her husband and life in the palace.

Cha's performance as Queen Wongyeong, entangled in the power dynamics within the royal court, has been praised for showcasing her versatility throughout the 12-episode series. She fully embodied the queen's entire life, demonstrating a wide spectrum of acting skills.

Cha admitted that stepping into her first lead role in a historical drama came with immense pressure.

"Since it was about a real person, it was incredibly challenging. Especially compared to Yi Seong-gye (Joseon's founder King Taejo), Yi Bang-won (King Taejong) and King Sejong the Great, there weren't many historical records about the queens, including Queen Wongyeong. I had to create the missing parts and fill them in with my own emotions and acting. While maintaining the overall sentiment and storyline, I based my performance on my own emotions," she said during an interview with The Korea Timea at a cafe in southern Seoul on Thursday.

Cha Joo-young is seen in tvN period drama "The Queen Who Crowns." Courtesy of CJ ENM

However, starring in a historical drama based on a real person had long been her dream and playing Queen Wongyeong fulfilled that aspiration.

"It required a lot of determination, but I thought, when will I ever get another chance to work on a project that deals with the life of a historically important person? There was no reason not to do it, so I decided to take on the challenge," she said.

Despite not having big-name stars, the drama created a buzz and achieved a peak viewership rating of 6.6 percent in its last episode, aired Tuesday, compared to 4.9 percent of its first episode on Jan. 6., through the efforts of experienced actors and a fresh perspective.

One of the most controversial aspects was the simultaneous release of two versions: a toned-down version aired on cable channel tvN, while a 19+ rated version was available on OTT platform Tving. The excessive sexually suggestive scenes and use of computer graphics in some of such scenes, which were reportedly edited without the actors' consent, drew widespread criticism.

Cha expressed disappointment that much of the public attention focused solely on the early intimate scenes rather than the drama's broader narrative.

"I understood that depicting the private life of a royal couple was a crucial part of the story. I saw it as a love story and was excited to be involved. However, given the historical context, I approached the role with a sense of responsibility. I wanted to ensure that the portrayal of the royal couple was respectful and accurate while also being true to the character," she said.

Poster for tvN drama "The Queen Who Crowns" / Courtesy of CJ ENM

The physical demands of the role were intense as well. She rode horses, wielded swords and danced in the period drama. Although she could get some help from stand-in actors, Cha wanted to do the action scene for herself most of the time.

"So I had to undergo physical therapy and herniated disk treatment due to small injuries I sustained during filming," she said.

The elaborate period costumes also presented a challenge. She wore multiple layers of "hanbok" (traditional Korean dress) to achieve the full historical look, while her royal crown and accessories weighed between 4-5 kilograms.

"I had to wear them for nearly 20 hours straight. I quite literally had to bear the weight of the crown," she said.

With another success to her credit, Cha still has a thirst for adventure and is eager to embrace any role that comes her way.

"I'm not afraid to challenge myself. I would describe myself as an adventurer," she said with the same confidence as her character, Queen Wongyeong.