Confidence Queen is a Korean dramedy that smartly combines laugh-out-loud comedy with clever heists, giving viewers both thrills and heart. Beneath the schemes and disguises, the show takes a closer look at loyalty, ambition, and the complicated bonds among a team of small-time con artists who only steal from the corrupt.
Opening Scene
The series kicks off in bustling Seoul, where a woman stares at a washing machine. Through voiceover, she humorously labels the city’s residents “Homo laundrycus”—a species doomed to endless cycles of laundry. It’s a quirky, offbeat introduction that immediately signals the show’s playful tone.
Overview
At the center is Yoon Yi-rang (Park Min-young), a spirited mastermind who leads a trio of con artists. Her team includes James (Park Hee-soon), the experienced strategist, and Myung Gu-ho (Joo Jong-hyuk), Yi-rang’s childhood friend who isn’t sure he wants to keep chasing high-risk scams. Their cons are Robin Hood–style, targeting predators who exploit the vulnerable.
One of their first big schemes involves a fake shaman and a wealthy casino owner. The plan works, but afterward Gu-ho decides he’s had enough. A month later, we find him living out of a van, grilling abalone by the beach, and bonding with local kids—until Yi-rang arrives to lure him back.
Things turn serious when the pair discover James has been beaten into a coma. The culprit is Jeon Tae-soo (Jung Woong-in), a smiling philanthropist in public but a violent loan shark in reality. James had tried to scam Jeon on his own and paid the price. Yi-rang and Gu-ho plot revenge with Gu-ho posing as the heir to an airline fortune, but Jeon proves to be more ruthless and slippery than expected.
Notable Elements
Adapted from the Japanese hit Confidence Man, this series feels like a sibling to shows such as Money Heist, though it keeps its own identity. Early episodes dive into the mechanics of the team’s heists and the emotional stakes behind them, particularly the push-pull bond between Yi-rang and Gu-ho.
Despite moments of high drama—including James’s hospital stay in a full-body cast—the series never loses its comedic edge. Park Min-young is magnetic as Yi-rang, balancing sharp intellect with a bubbly optimism. Her constant cheer for “sexy cons” adds humor, while Gu-ho’s deadpan teasing keeps her grounded.
The intrigue grows with Jeon Tae-soo’s double life and the mystery of how this team first came together. Future episodes promise more flashbacks that could add richer backstory, especially to Yi-rang and Gu-ho’s childhood.
Sex and Skin
None.
Parting Scene
Yi-rang makes things right for a young girl tricked by the fake shaman, slipping her money to save her mother’s struggling business. It’s a reminder that, beneath the disguises and tricks, her crew’s scams serve a greater good.
Sleeper Star
Jung Woong-in leaves a mark as Jeon Tae-soo. His ability to toggle between charismatic benefactor and cold-blooded enforcer makes him a compelling villain.
Most Memorable Line
Gu-ho jabs, “You’re a sociopath.” Yi-rang fires back without missing a beat:
“Genius sociopath. Call me a geniopath.”
Final Recommendation
STREAM IT.
Confidence Queen is a fresh, character-driven twist on the heist genre. With its mix of wit, heart, and stylish cons, it’s more than just another crime caper—it’s a dramedy that charms as much as it thrills.