The Great Queen Seondeok

The Great Queen Seondeok reimagines the ascent of Deokman, a royal who becomes Korea's first reigning queen during the Silla Dynasty. The series follows her growth from a cautious princess into a seasoned ruler, as court rivalries, shifting alliances, and external threats force hard choices. Personal loyalties clash with political necessity, and relationships with figures like the charismatic Bidam and the powerful Lady Mishil shape the path she takes. The show balances intimate character moments with large-scale statecraft, keeping the focus on how leadership, intelligence, and resolve reshape a kingdom without revealing any major plot twists or the final outcome.

Released in 2009, the drama was directed by Park Hong-kyun and Kim Keun-Hong, and created by writers Kim Young-hyun and Park Sang-yeon. It aired as a historical television series with high production values and a star-studded cast including Lee Yo-won, Ko Hyun-jung, Kim Nam-gil, and Uhm Tae-woong.

The series drew recognition from Korean television award circles, earning nominations and praise for its acting, costume design, and production work. Lead performances by Lee Yo-won and Ko Hyun-jung were often singled out in coverage, and the show's scale and ambition were noted during awards season discussions.

Culturally, the drama left a mark on modern interest in the Silla period, with characters like Lady Mishil and Bidam becoming widely referenced in pop culture and online discussion. Its visual style and memorable confrontations influenced later historical shows, and scenes from the series are still cited when people talk about epic Korean period television.

Critical and audience reaction was largely favorable, reflected in a vote average around 7.1 out of 10 from viewers. Reviewers tended to praise the performances, costumes, and sweeping production, while some critics pointed to uneven pacing and melodramatic stretches. Thematically, the show focuses on power, gender and authority, loyalty, and the burdens of leadership.