(Full Synopsis)

Set in the late 19th century during the final years of the Joseon Dynasty, the musical unfolds across the royal court and international political arena, where Empress Myeongseong struggles to preserve national sovereignty amid foreign intervention and internal power conflicts.

The story opens with a courtroom in Hiroshima in 1896, where those accused of assassinating the Empress are tried. The narrative then moves back to her early life as Min Ja-young, who is chosen to marry King Gojong under the influence of the regent Heungseon Daewongun. As Gojong matures and asserts royal authority, tensions rise between him and the Daewongun, while the Queen gains political influence within the court.

Amid increasing instability, including factional strife and the Imo Military Revolt, the Queen navigates alliances with foreign powers, particularly Qing China, to maintain control. However, Japan’s growing influence in Korea leads to escalating hostility. Viewing the Queen as a political obstacle, Japanese agents orchestrate a covert assassination plot known as “Fox Hunt.”

The musical culminates in the assassination of Empress Myeongseong during the Eulmi Incident. In its final moments, the narrative reflects on her legacy and the enduring spirit of the Korean people, often represented through symbolic reappearances of the Empress and collective choral expression.