Confidence Queen (2025) Full Review cast performances, episode structure, where to watch

Confidence Queen (2025) is a South Korean remake of Confidence Man JP. It stars Park Min-young as Yoon Yi-rang, a clever lead con artist, along with Park Hee-soon and Joo Jong-hyuk. Expect witty heists, stylish tricks, moral questionings, and comedic relief. The show premiered on TV Chosun and streams on Coupang Play in Korea, and Prime Video globally (excluding some regions) starting September 6, 2025. With 12 episodes, it releases every Saturday & Sunday at 21:10 KST. Familiar format, but fresh execution.

What is Confidence Queen?

Confidence Queen (Korean title: 컨피던스 맨 KR) is a South Korean television series that adapts the Japanese Confidence Man JP (2018). It blends crime, comedy, and heist elements to tell stories of con artists who design smart scams — not merely for profit, but often to expose greed or injustice.

• Drama: Confidence Queen
• Revised Romanization: Confidence Man KR
• Hangul: 컨피던스맨 KR
• Director: Nam Ki-Hoon
• Writer: Hong Seung-Hyun
• Network: TV Chosun, Coupang Play, Amazon Prime Video
• Episodes: 12
• Release Date: September 6 – October 12, 2025
• Runtime: Saturday & Sunday 21:10
• Language: Korean
• Country: South Korea

Cast, Creators & Production Details

• Lead actors:
  • Park Min-young as Yoon Yi-rang — the brilliant, charismatic con artist leader. She is described as having an IQ of about 165, and combines intelligence with boldness. Wikipedia+2Decider+2
  • Park Hee-soon as James — the veteran in the con game, older, experienced, the reliable second in command. Decider+1
  • Joo Jong-hyuk as Myung Gu-ho — younger member, often ethical tension in his character, balancing loyalty, doubts, and the danger of the lifestyle. Decider+1
• Supporting cast / cameos: There are notable supporting / villain characters including Jeon Tae-soo (CEO with shady business) and others in corrupt sectors. Cameos may include recognizable actors (depending on region). Decider+1
• Creators:
  • Writer(s): Hong Seung-hyun, Kim Da-hye Wikipedia
  • Director: Nam Ki-hoon Wikipedia
  • Network / Production: Produced by TME Group, GHOST4 Production, The Fifth Wall Studio. Broadcast on TV Chosun; streaming on Coupang Play (in Korea) and Prime Video globally (excluding some regions). Wikipedia+1
• Episodes / Schedule:
  • Total episodes: 12 Indiatimes+2Wikipedia+2
  • Release date: September 6, 2025 Wikipedia+2Indiatimes+2
  • Broadcast schedule: Every Saturday & Sunday at 21:10 KST on TV Chosun. Wikipedia+1

Confidence Queen Plot / Storyline (spoiler-light)

Yoon Yi-rang leads a team of con artists. Their targets tend to be corrupt figures — greedy real estate moguls, financial swindlers, or those abusing power. The scams are elaborate, often theatrical, involving impersonation, staged events, and clever psychology. Myung Gu-ho, though part of the team, struggles with the moral cost; James helps with the darker logistics and strategy. Several story arcs include:

• The first missions establishing the style: how Yi-rang uses her smarts to expose more than just take advantage.
• Conflict when things go wrong — betrayal, risk, injury.
• The villain (or opposing figure) who seems legitimate publicly but acts corruptly behind closed doors.
• Emotional stakes: the team members’ backstories, their loyalties, and what they lose when living outside the law.

The tone balances comedic moments (wit, disguises, dynamic banter) with tension (danger, betrayal, moral cost).

What Stands Out / Strengths

1. Strong lead performance: Park Min-young is coming from more romantic / melodrama roles; this shows range in playing the mastermind con artist. Her demeanor (confidence, style) is a major draw. Decider+1
2. Blend of comedy + crime: The caper style is lighter than purely dark crime dramas; risks are real, but the show doesn’t drown viewers in gloom.
3. Visual & production quality: Stylish disguises, sleek settings, financial / corporate backdrops, real estate elements, and props that look glamorous or high end.
4. Moral tension: Gu-ho’s doubts, decisions of team, the cost on personal lives. Makes it more than just “steal back from the bad guys.”
5. Global reach: Streaming via Prime Video globally gives more exposure; also, high production values indicate intent to appeal beyond Korea.

Weaknesses / Possible Issues

• Familiar premise: Remakes / caper shows are numerous; some viewers might feel it echoes Money Heist, The Art of the Steal, or other “con-team” dramas. To stand out, it must deliver twists, strong character arcs.
• Risk of tonal imbalance: Mixing comedy and serious crime can be tricky — if not balanced well, comedy can undercut tension, or crime scenes may feel jarring.
• Expectations of originality: Because its source is well-known, comparisons are inevitable. Some fans of the original Confidence Man JP will scrutinize how faithful or inventive this version is.

Comparisons (What It’s Similar To; How It Differs)

Best Episodes / Highlights (Episodes 1-2 impressions)

• Episode 1 establishes the tone sharply: the first con (versus a swindler of a parent) shows both the humor and the emotional weight.
• Episode 2 begins showing cracks in the team: how mistakes or risk affect them personally. Some standout scenes: the disguised infiltration, the strategic reveal, and the moments when character motives are teased.

Audience Reception & Ratings

• Early ratings in Korea show decent viewership for a cable lansats or pay / non-major free channels. (Exact numbers vary, and it’s modest vs huge primetime show but strong for its slot.) Wikipedia
• International response lauds Park Min-young’s change in role and the stylish direction. Critics praise the show for pacing and wit. Decider+1

Confidence Queen Streaming & Availability

• South Korea: TV Chosun, Coupang Play. Wikipedia
• International: Prime Video in many regions (excluding some like Mainland China / limited Korea/excluded regions). Wikipedia

Make sure to check local streaming rights. Sometimes Prime Video releases episodes with delay or different subtitles.

Themes & Take-Away Messages

• Greed vs justice: The show sets up con artistry as not just theft but as a check on corruption.
• Identity / deception: The masks people wear, both literal and figurative.
• Loyalty and personal cost: What you sacrifice in relationships, trust, and ethics when your job is deception.
• Power of intelligence and wit: Often brains over brawn; success comes through planning, improv, and knowing human weaknesses.

Comparisons with Other Works

• Fans compare it to:
  • Succession (HBO) – corporate power struggles.
  • The Devil Wears Prada (2006) – power dynamics and fashion/luxury symbols.
  • Queen of Tears (2024 K-drama) – emotional depth and powerful female lead.
  • House of Cards – political manipulation.

Confidence Queen blends all of these influences but keeps a unique Asian cultural foundation.

FAQ (People Also Ask)

Q1: What is the premise of Confidence Queen?
A: A team of talented con artists, led by Yoon Yi-rang (Park Min-young), carry out clever scams against greedy, corrupt individuals in sectors like real estate and finance. It’s a remake of Confidence Man JP. Wikipedia+1

Q2: Who are the main cast members?
A: The leads are Park Min-young, Park Hee-soon, and Joo Jong-hyuk. Supporting cast includes high-profile cameo/villain roles. Wikipedia+2Decider+2

Q3: How many episodes, and when does it air?
A: 12 episodes. Premiered September 6, 2025. Released every Saturday & Sunday at 21:10 KST on TV Chosun. Wikipedia

Q4: Where can I watch Confidence Queen globally?
A: Internationally via Prime Video (in many countries), but check that it’s not excluded in your region. In South Korea, via Coupang Play and TV Chosun. Wikipedia

Q5: Is there romance in Confidence Queen?
A: Not in the traditional romantic lead sense. The show focuses more on team dynamics, friendship, moral tensions, and the thrill of the con rather than a central love story. Park Min-young herself has mentioned she “said ‘no’ to romance in this project.” The Times of India

Q6: How is it different from the Japanese original Confidence Man JP?
A: While the basic structure of con + scam + group ensemble is similar, Confidence Queen localizes the settings (financial, real estate sectors in Korea), character backgrounds differ, tone tends to be more comedic in certain parts, and there is more focus on global distribution and high production value.

Verdict

Confidence Queen is a strong pick for fans of heist-thrillers with a lighter heart. If you like con games, smart twists, morally gray characters, and enjoy watching flaws and consequences in addition to flashy plans, this checks many boxes. It may not reinvent the genre, but it brings enough polish, personality, and performance to stand out in 2025’s crowded K-drama slate. Definitely worth streaming, especially if you want a weekend show with brains, charm, and stylish deception.

I’d give it 4.3 out of 5 stars for cast of Confidence Queen, originality, production; minus some points for familiarity of premise.