Scarlet Heart Ryeo: Queen's Hatred For The 4th Prince

What's up, drama lovers! Today, we're diving deep into one of the most gripping K-dramas out there, Scarlet Heart: Ryeo (also known as Moon Lovers). This show is packed with romance, betrayal, and a whole lot of political intrigue, right? But one of the burning questions that keeps fans hooked is: why does the Queen, Lady Yoo, seem to have such an intense hatred for the Fourth Prince, Wang So? It's not just a simple dislike; it's a deep-seated animosity that shapes so much of the story. Let's break down the juicy details, guys, and get to the bottom of this royal feud.

The Scarred Prince and the Mother's Rejection

First off, let's talk about Wang So himself. From the get-go, he's presented as this fearsome, almost monstrous figure. He wears a mask to hide a scar on his face, a physical manifestation of the emotional wounds inflicted upon him. And who do you think is a major player in inflicting those wounds? His own mother, Queen Yoo. The Queen's hatred for the 4th prince stems from a deeply complex place, rooted in superstition and a desperate desire for power. Goryeo was a superstitious era, and Wang So's scar, coupled with his fierce, untamed nature, led many, including his mother, to believe he was an ill omen. She saw him not as her son, but as a threat, a potential disruption to her carefully laid plans for her other sons, particularly the 3rd Prince, Wang Yo.

Queen Yoo was a formidable woman, a true schemer who was obsessed with securing the throne for her lineage. She believed that Wang So, with his 'cursed' appearance and aggressive tendencies, would only bring ruin. Instead of nurturing him, she actively ostracized him, sending him away to be a 'dog-slave' and rarely acknowledging him. This rejection wasn't just passive; it was an active part of her strategy. By distancing herself and fostering fear around Wang So, she could manipulate public perception and protect her other sons' claims to the throne. Her fear wasn't just about Wang So being a bad omen; it was about him being a rival, a powerful one that she couldn't control. This intense maternal rejection is the core reason behind the Queen's animosity, turning a mother-son relationship into a battlefield of ambition and fear.

Ambition, Power, and the Throne

Beyond the personal vendetta, Queen Yoo's hatred for the 4th prince is inextricably linked to her insatiable ambition for power. She was a woman who played the long game, manipulating kings and princes to ensure her family's dominance. Her primary goal was to see her own son, Wang Yo, ascend to the throne. Wang So, being a legitimate son of the previous king and a prince with undeniable potential (once his true nature is unleashed), represented a direct threat to this ambition. He was a wildcard, someone whose existence complicated her plans.

Think about it, guys: in a world where royal succession was everything, having a prince like Wang So, who was feared but also respected for his combat prowess, could easily sway the tides of power. Queen Yoo saw him as an obstacle that needed to be removed, or at least neutralized. Her attempts to undermine him, to paint him as a monster, and to encourage others to fear him were all calculated moves in her power play. She needed the throne to be secure for Wang Yo, and Wang So, with his growing influence and the eventual prophecy surrounding him, was a major impediment. Her 'hatred' wasn't just emotional; it was a strategic necessity for her political survival and aspirations. She viewed Wang So not as a son to be loved, but as a rival to be crushed, a piece on the chessboard that needed to be eliminated for her ultimate victory. This ruthless pragmatism, disguised as maternal concern over his 'cursed' nature, is what makes her character so compellingly villainous.

Superstition and Prophecy: A Convenient Excuse

Let's talk about the role of superstition and prophecy in fueling the Queen's hatred for the 4th prince, Wang So. Goryeo society was deeply steeped in beliefs about fate, omens, and divine will. Queen Yoo, being a shrewd manipulator, expertly used these beliefs to her advantage. Wang So's facial scar became the perfect symbol for her narrative – a mark of a 'cursed' individual, a harbinger of misfortune. It was a convenient excuse to justify her cruel treatment and to turn others against him.

She propagated the idea that Wang So was born under an unlucky star, destined to bring disaster. This narrative wasn't just about convincing others; it was likely a way for her to rationalize her own abhorrent actions. By believing, or at least projecting, that he was inherently bad or cursed, she could absolve herself of the guilt of abandoning and mistreating him. It allowed her to maintain a facade of maternal concern while acting with extreme cruelty. Furthermore, there were prophecies circulating about a 'dog-like' emperor who would bring ruin. Queen Yoo twisted this, linking Wang So's perceived ferocity and his scar (which some might have metaphorically linked to a dog's muzzle or bite) to this prophecy. She used these superstitious fears to isolate him, to ensure no one would support him, and to solidify the image of him as a threat that needed to be contained or eliminated. It's a classic tactic: create a monster in the minds of the people, and then position yourself as the one who can protect them from it. This manipulation of belief systems highlights the calculated nature of her animosity.

Wang So's Potential vs. Wang Yo's Weakness

Another key element in understanding why the Queen hates the 4th prince lies in the stark contrast between Wang So's potential and her preferred heir, Wang Yo. While Wang Yo was her favorite, being the son of her womb and groomed for the throne, he was also inherently weak, indecisive, and easily manipulated. Wang So, on the other hand, despite his rough exterior and traumatic upbringing, possessed a raw strength, intelligence, and a fierce will to survive and protect those he cared about. Queen Yoo recognized this potential, even if she feared it.

She knew that Wang So, if he ever embraced his power and gained loyal followers, could easily eclipse Wang Yo. Her hatred wasn't just about Wang So being a 'bad omen'; it was also about him being a superior contender in the eyes of many, a fact that terrified her. She feared his ability to unite people, his military prowess, and his potential to become a truly great king – a king who would not be under her control. Her efforts to keep him down, to make him believe he was worthless, were attempts to sabotage his inherent capabilities. She needed a pliable ruler in Wang Yo, someone she could continue to control even after he was king. Wang So was too independent, too strong-willed. Her animosity was a desperate attempt to prevent a prince she couldn't control from seizing the power she craved for her own bloodline. It was a cold, calculated assessment of threats and opportunities, where Wang So represented the ultimate threat to her dynastic ambitions.

The Unseen Affection: A Mother's Twisted Love?

Now, this might be a stretch, guys, but some fans wonder if there's a twisted, deeply buried form of affection behind the Queen's hatred for the 4th prince. Could her cruelty be a misguided attempt to 'toughen him up' for the brutal world of the Goryeo court? Or is it possible that, in her own warped way, she saw his potential and feared it so much that she tried to destroy it before it could destroy her plans? It's a dark thought, but Queen Yoo is a complex character. Her obsession with power and her ruthlessness are undeniable, but the intensity of her focus on Wang So, even in hatred, suggests he occupied a significant space in her mind.

Perhaps her rejection was a way to distance herself from a painful reminder – maybe of the king who wronged her, or of a past she wanted to bury. Her actions are undoubtedly cruel and inexcusable, but understanding them requires looking beyond simple villainy. She saw Wang So as a pawn in her grand game of chess, a dangerous piece that she had to control or eliminate. Her hatred, while brutal, might have been the only 'tool' she felt she had to manage him. It's a chilling perspective, but it adds another layer to her character. The drama doesn't shy away from portraying the psychological toll of the Goryeo court, and Queen Yoo is a product of that brutal environment. Her 'hatred' could be a defense mechanism, a way to emotionally detach from a son who represented everything she feared and couldn't control, while simultaneously ensuring he didn't derail her lifelong ambition. It's a tragedy layered upon a tragedy, with Wang So bearing the brunt of a mother's terrifying ambition and fear.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Pain and Ambition

So, to wrap it all up, the Queen's hatred for the 4th prince in Scarlet Heart: Ryeo is a multi-faceted venom, brewed from superstition, ambition, fear, and a twisted sense of maternal duty. Queen Yoo saw Wang So not as a son to cherish, but as a cursed obstacle to her dynasty's power. Her rejection, manipulation, and cruelty were all calculated moves in her desperate bid to secure the throne for Wang Yo. While Wang So eventually overcomes his trauma and emerges as a formidable force, the scars left by his mother's hatred run deep, shaping his worldview and his relationships throughout the series. It's this complex interplay of character motivations and political machinations that makes Scarlet Heart: Ryeo such an unforgettable watch, guys. The Queen's animosity towards Wang So is a dark thread that weaves through the entire narrative, driving conflict and highlighting the brutal realities of royal life. Keep watching, keep pondering, and let us know your theories in the comments below!