Under the Queen's Umbrella

When a sharp-witted queen decides to tame her unruly princes so one can wear the crown, she turns palace life upside down with tough love, strategy, and a readiness to scandalize court etiquette. Rather than standing back, she trains, scolds, and schemes to shape heirs who can survive the toxic politics of Joseon. Rival factions watch and plot, using intrigue, marriage, and manipulation to advance their own favorites. The tone moves between sly humor and tense drama, focusing on family dynamics inside the court while keeping the larger struggle for power at the center, without revealing how any particular plotline resolves.

Released in 2022, the series was created by Kim Hyung-sik and Park Ba-ra and features Kim Hye-soo as Queen Im Hwa-ryeong, supported by Kim Hae-sook, Choi Won-young, Moon Seong-hyun, and Kim Eui-sung, bringing high-profile talent to a historical drama.

The show hit a chord with viewers who liked its mix of royal pageantry and modern-feeling characterization. Conversations online and in reviews highlighted the queen as a rare, forceful maternal lead in a period setting, and it helped keep palace-set dramas prominent in pop culture discussions for the year.

Critics and audiences responded well, reflected in an average score of about 8.21/10 from viewers. Reviews tended to praise the tonal balance between wit and seriousness, the sharp writing around court rivalries, and the emotional ties between mother and sons. Performances, especially from the lead cast, were singled out as elevating the material and making political scheming feel personal.

The series attracted attention during Korean awards season, with industry notice focused on performances and production values. Across various television ceremonies the cast and crew were frequently mentioned among nominees and highlights, underscoring how the show resonated with both viewers and peers.