Ep 3. Sleeping with the Enemy

In Mr. Queen season 1 episode 3, titled "Sleeping with the Enemy," the story continues to follow the adventures of Jang Bong-hwan, a culinary chef in modern-day South Korea and a man who has been lamenting his mundane existence for months. He finds himself trapped within the body of a young, but very sickly queen named So-yong during the Joseon era. Bong-hwan must quickly learn how to navigate the complex politics of the palace if he has any hope of one day returning to his own time.

The episode begins with a flashback that provides some insight into the relationship between So-yong and Kim Byeong-in, the chief royal bodyguard. There appears to be some tension between them, with Kim expressing concern over the influence of the queen's father, a powerful minister, on her actions.

In the present day, Bong-hwan, now inhabiting the body of the queen, is struggling to keep up with the demands of palace life. He must attend to his official duties, such as receiving an envoy from China, while also dealing with the personal matters that come with being a newly married queen. His husband, King Cheoljong, is kind and understanding, but Bong-hwan quickly realizes that not everyone in the palace has his best interests at heart.

One of these people is Hwa-jin, the king's concubine who seems to have some kind of vendetta against the queen. Hwa-jin is jealous of the attention that the king is giving to So-yong, and she is determined to make the queen's life a living hell. So-yong, for her part, is struggling to understand why Hwa-jin hates her so much.

As the episode unfolds, tensions between So-yong and Hwa-jin escalate, leading to a confrontation that puts both women in danger. Bong-hwan must use all of his wits to come up with a plan to save himself and the queen, all while navigating the complex political landscape of the palace. He must also contend with the fact that he is beginning to develop genuine feelings for King Cheoljong, feelings that could put So-yong's safety in jeopardy.

"Sleeping with the Enemy" is a tense, thrilling episode that explores the power dynamics of the palace and the complex relationships between the characters. It is a testament to the skilled writing and acting on display in Mr. Queen, which manages to be both a gripping historical drama and a hilarious comedy at the same time. Fans of the show will enjoy this episode for its twists and turns, while newcomers will be drawn in by the fascinating world that the show has created. All in all, it is an excellent entry in what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting new shows of the year.