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Empress Ki (기황후; 奇皇后; Gi Hwanghu) is a South Korean historical drama television series starring Ha Ji Won as the titular Empress Ki. It aired on MBC from October 28, 2013 to April 29, 2014 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 51 episodes.
A domestic and overseas hit, the series received the Golden Bird Prize for Serial Drama at the 9th Seoul International Drama Awards. Ha Ji-won also won the Grand Prize at the MBC Drama Awards for her performance.
Synopsis
Sungnyang was born a girl but pretends to be a boy to avoid becoming a palace maidservant. To get revenge on her enemies, she hides her true identity, but gets caught up in a Yuan Dynasty conspiracy while watching over the Yuan crown prince Togon, who was exiled to Koryo. Through a series of twists and turns, she saves Togon, but her secret about being a woman is discovered and she is forced to become a royal maidservant.
Togon was the rightful heir to the throne, which was stolen from him by his half-brother, who then exiled him to Koryo. To avoid being murdered, he plays dumb, but he has a fierce rage and sadness within him. He eventually returns to Yuan and becomes emperor, and with the help of Sungnyang, a royal maidservant, he becomes a dignified king and fights against those who are a threat to him.[1]
Cast
- Ha Ji Won as Empress Ki Yang / Ki Seung Nyang
- Jeong Ji So as young Ki Seung Nyang
- Ji Chang Wook as Emperor Toghon Temur / Ta Hwan
- Joo Jin Mo as King Wang Yoo
- Ahn Do Kyu as young Wang Yoo
- Baek Jin Hee as Tanashili
Soundtrack
Episodes
In this table, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
| Episode | Aired | Average audience share | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNmS Ratings | AGB Nielsen | ||||
| Nationwide | Seoul | Nationwide | Seoul | ||
| Episode 01 | October 28, 2013 | 10.1% (13th) | 12.3% (8th) | 11.1% (9th) | 13.3% (4th) |
| Sungnyang disguises herself as a man and works to free women who were sent to be Yuan concubines. King Wang Ko orders Sungnyang to get close to Wang Yoo to lure him into an ambush. | |||||
| Episode 02 | October 29, 2013 | 12.0% (6th) | 14.6% (4th) | 13.6% (4th) | 15.8% (4th) |
| Sungnyang reveals to the Crown Prince that there is a spy among them. Prince Togon is exiled to Koryo. | |||||
| Episode 03 | November 4, 2013 | 11.7% (11th) | 14.9% (4th) | 12.8% (6th) | 14.5% (5th) |
| Sungnyang mistakes the Yuan Prince for a Yuan soldier. For the prince's protection, the Koryo King barricades the prince within the Koryo palace. | |||||
| Episode 04 | November 5, 2013 | 12.7% (6th) | 15.4% (4th) | 14.5% (4th) | 16.6% (3rd) |
| The Yaun Prince asks Sungnyang to teach him how to defend himself. El Temur plans a full-on attack on Daechong Island in order to kill the prince. | |||||
| Episode 05 | November 11, 2013 | 14.0% (5th) | 17.3% (4th) | 14.5% (5th) | 16.1% (4th) |
| Sungnyang and Prince Togon continue their way to Kaegyong to find the Koryo King. Meanwhile, El Temur takes Koryo's palace under his command. | |||||
| Episode 06 | November 12, 2013 | 14.6% (4th) | 18.6% (4th) | 16.3% (4th) | 18.7% (3rd) |
| Yom falls for Sungnyangs trick and brings in Prince Togon's body into the palace. Prince Togon becomes conflicted about choosing to tell the truth or becoming emperor of Yuan. | |||||
| Episode 07 | November 18, 2013 | 15.2% (4th) | 18.4% (4th) | 15.5% (5th) | 17.6% (3rd) |
| The King of Koryo finds out that Sungnyang is a woman and tires to protect her from Tangqishi. Meanwhile, at the capital of Yuan, Tanasiri is taking lessons to be empress. | |||||
| Episode 08 | November 19, 2013 | 16.5% (4th) | 20.1% (3rd) | 16.9% (4th) | 18.6% (3rd) |
| Sungnyang plots to take revenge on Emperor Togon during his wedding ceremony. The King of Koryo and Yom Byongsu are to duel to see who will be commander. | |||||
| Episode 09 | November 25, 2013 | 15.4% (4th) | 19.1% (4th) | 17.2% (4th) | 19.5% (3rd) |
| The Koryo King defeats Yom and takes command, but is given poor resources to prepare for battle. El Temur is enraged when he finds out that the Emperor has taken in a concubine. | |||||
| Episode 10 | November 26, 2013 | 16.2% (4th) | 19.5% (3rd) | 18.1% (3rd) | 19.6% (3rd) |
| The Koryo King leads his men to their first victory against the Turks. The Emperor makes Sungnyang a part of his retinue. | |||||
| Episode 11 | December 2, 2013 | 17.7% (4th) | 20.8% (3rd) | 17.8% (5th) | 20.5% (2nd) |
| The Empress orders Sungnyang to feed Lady Pak a powder that will cause her a miscarriage. The Emperor further suspects Nyang of being Sungnyang. | |||||
| Episode 12 | December 3, 2013 | 18.4% (4th) | 21.7% (3rd) | 19.0% (4th) | 21.0% (3rd) |
| Nyang is ordered to spread rumors that Lady Pak is faking her pregnancy. General Bayan disguises himself as Batolu, but runs into unexpected trouble on the battlefield. | |||||
| Episode 13 | December 9, 2013 | 19.1% (4th) | 23.6% (2nd) | 20.2% (3rd) | 23.5% (2nd) |
| Lady Pak is brought in front of the inquisition to be re-examined. Sungnyang receives a written promise to be let out of the palace, but gets caught by the Emperor. | |||||
| Episode 14 | December 10, 2013 | 18.4% (4th) | 23.3% (1st) | 19.5% (3rd) | 21.9% (2nd) |
| Wang Yoo brings victory with him to the Yuan Palace. The previous Yuan Emperor is said to have written a blood vow before his death and all are scrambling to find it. | |||||
| Episode 15 | December 16, 2013 | 17.7% (4th) | 21.7% (4th) | 18.8% (4th) | 21.5% (3rd) |
| Wang Yoo comes up with a plan to infuriate El Temur, but needs Sungnyang to accomplish it. The Emperor challenges Wang Yoo to a soccer match. | |||||
| Episode 16 | December 17, 2013 | 18.1% (4th) | 21.9% (2nd) | 18.8% (3rd) | 21.4% (3rd) |
| El Temur tries to find the one who sent the appeal. Wang Yoo finds out that Sungnyang was the one to help and decides to not see her again. | |||||
| Episode 17 | December 23, 2013 | 17.3% (4th) | 20.5% (2nd) | 17.3% (4th) | 20.1% (2nd) |
| The Emperor and the Queen Dowager ask Wang Yoo if he is interested in marrying one of the princesses. The Emperor opens a shadow play for Yang but uninvited guests decide to join them. | |||||
| Episode 18 | December 24, 2013 | 17.3% (3rd) | 20.5% (2nd) | 17.5% (3rd) | 19.9% (2nd) |
| The palace fills with rats and begin the curse of the late Khan. The emperor decides to actively search for the Blood Vow. | |||||
| Episode 19 | January 6, 2014 | 17.0% (3rd) | 21.8% (2nd) | 17.9% (3rd) | 20.4% (3rd) |
| Wang Yoo and Yeonchul comes up with a plan to fake Yeonchul's death to find out who are loyal to him. Nyang tell the emperor that she does not want him to speak to her again. | |||||
| Episode 20 | January 7, 2014 | 18.5% (3rd) | 23.8% (2nd) | 19.1% (3rd) | 21.3% (2nd) |
| Wang Yoo meets with the Dowager and wins her trust. Wang Yoo asks Nyang if she wants to be his Queen once he goes back to Koryo. | |||||
| Episode 21 | January 13, 2014 | 18.2% (3rd) | 23.7% (2nd) | 19.6% (3rd) | 22.9% (2nd) |
| Wang Yoo receives permission from the Regent to return to Koguryo to visit his "sick" father. Nyang and two others stay behind to look for Jukho to find the blood vow. | |||||
| Episode 22 | January 14, 2014 | 19.0% (3rd) | 23.9% (2nd) | 20.3% (3rd) | 22.1% (2nd) |
| The emperor decides to hide injured Nyang in the pavilion so the regent's men cannot find her. Nyang's party is attacked by thieves while they were trying to help Nyang escape. | |||||
| Episode 23 | January 20, 2014 | 19.5% (3rd) | 23.6% (2nd) | 20.8% (3rd) | 23.6% (2nd) |
| Nyang gives birth to a son with a unique dot on his feet. The emperor and Wang Yoo finds out about Nyang and plans their revenge against the empress. | |||||
| Episode 24 | January 21, 2014 | 20.7% (3rd) | 24.7% (2nd) | 22.6% (2nd) | 26.2% (2nd) |
| Nyang is found by Bayan in Liaoyang province while she is being sold as a slave. Nyang discovers the blood vow and shows it to Bayan. | |||||
| Episode 25 | January 27, 2014 | 21.4% (3rd) | 27.0% (2nd) | 22.8% (2nd) | 26.8% (1st) |
| Nyang begins the selection process for the consorts as she fights through the obstacles the empress sets up. Wang Yoo continues to find who is behind the counterfeit money. | |||||
| Episode 26 | January 28, 2014 | 22.0% (2nd) | 26.3% (2nd) | 24.9% (2nd) | 28.6% (1st) |
| Nyang becomes a consort and begins to fight with the empress with the support of other people from Koryo. Wang Yoo is fighting to stop counterfeit money from entering Liaoyang. | |||||
| Episode 27 | February 3, 2014 | 24.2% (2nd) | 29.8% (1st) | 23.9% (2nd) | 27.7% (1st) |
| Nyang begins to teach the Emperor how to read and write every night by disguising it as a party. The empress decides to lock Nyang in the archives and give her an impossible task to finish. | |||||
| Episode 28 | February 4, 2014 | 24.0% (2nd) | 29.3% (1st) | 25.3% (2nd) | 29.1% (1st) |
| Nyang begins her plan to take the empress' power away from her. Wang Yoo meets with Hukso to get Musong back by telling Hukso that he is the husband of El Temur's niece. | |||||
| Episode 29 | February 10, 2014 | 20.8% (2nd) | 25.3% (1st) | 22.7% (2nd) | 25.3% (1st) |
| Wang Yoo finds out about Nyang's situation from Tal Tal after they arrest Huksu. Nyang continues her revenge on the Empress. | |||||
| Episode 30 | February 17, 2014 | 25.3% (2nd) | 30.9% (1st) | 26.5% (2nd) | 29.9% (1st) |
| Nyang and Wang Yoo finally meet together and go their own ways. Feisu finally completes deciphering the book they found in Huksu's house. | |||||
| Episode 31 | February 18, 2014 | 25.6% (2nd) | 30.9% (1st) | 26.6% (1st) | 29.4% (1st) |
| The Emperor speaks in front of El Temur and also shows him that he can read. Tal Tal brings the spies from Eagle House in front of the governors. | |||||
| Episode 32 | February 24, 2014 | 24.4% (2nd) | 31.0% (1st) | 25.3% (2nd) | 28.8% (1st) |
| Nyang avoids the bullet from El Temur and makes another governer the culprit of the attempted assassination of the Prince. The Empress calls in Wang Yoo and Nyang together for a drink. | |||||
| Episode 33 | February 25, 2014 | 27.9% (2nd) | 33.6% (1st) | 28.6% (1st) | 31.3% (1st) |
| Nyang and the Emperor survive the coup but the Emperor is shot by a poison arrow. Wang Yoo gets stabbed in the process of helping Nyang run away from the guards. | |||||
| Episode 34 | March 3, 2014 | 26.1% (2nd) | 32.4% (1st) | 26.2% (2nd) | 29.7% (1st) |
| The Emperor comes to save Nyang and her servants from being punished for the Emperor's injury. The Empress decides to use a curse to try and kill Nyang. | |||||
| Episode 35 | March 4, 2014 | 26.5% (2nd) | 32.3% (1st) | 28.3% (1st) | 31.4% (1st) |
| After Nyang recovered the talisman and broke the curse, El Temur begins to have nightmares. Wang Yoo begins to train the bums Wongjin brought as new recruits. | |||||
| Episode 36 | March 10, 2014 | 26.0% (2nd) | 31.4% (1st) | 29.2% (2nd) | 30.8% (1st) |
| Bayan begins his plan to go to war with El Temur and marches to the capitol. El Temur receives word from his men that his son is bringing Bayan and won the war. | |||||
| Episode 37 | March 11, 2014 | 27.1% (2nd) | 32.4% (1st) | 29.2% (1st) | 32.4% (1st) |
| Nyang is in the Ice Palace and calls everyone in to start planning to defend the Emperor while Bayan takes the palace. Wang Yoo complete's his job by opening the gate for Bayan's soldiers to enter. | |||||
| Episode 38 | March 17, 2014 | 25.6% (2nd) | 30.7% (1st) | 27.7% (2nd) | 31.3% (1st) |
| The Dowager opposes Nayng becoming the empress and makes Bayan bring his niece to run Nyang out. The former empress was hanged from the square for the public to see. | |||||
| Episode 39 | March 18, 2014 | 25.0% (2nd) | 29.3% (1st) | 26.5% (2nd) | 29.7% (1st) |
| Bayan Hudu becomes the new empress and Nyang continues the search for the secret funds. Wang Yoo is also searching for the secret funds to help Nyang become the empress. | |||||
| Episode 40 | March 24, 2014 | 22.4% (2nd) | 27.5% (2nd) | 24.4% (2nd) | 27.9% (2nd) |
| Nyang finally finds out about the secret funds El Temur has been collecting. Bayan announces to the Emperor that he wants to go to war and conquer surrounding countries. | |||||
| Episode 41 | March 25, 2014 | 24.0% (2nd) | 29.8% (1st) | 26.0% (2nd) | 28.8% (1st) |
| Nyang and Wang Yoo begins their plan to remove the money from El Temur's house. Tal Tal finds out that he has been tricked by Nyang and rushes back to see the secret room empty. | |||||
| Episode 42 | March 31, 2014 | 23.5% (2nd) | 27.2% (2nd) | 25.0% (2nd) | 28.8% (1st) |
| Wang Yoo returns to Koryo and takes command by refusing to provide for Yuan any longer. Bayan takes his men to war with surrounding countries and tries to take them over. | |||||
| Episode 43 | April 1, 2014 | 24.1% (2nd) | 27.4% (2nd) | 25.0% (2nd) | 27.9% (1st) |
| The Dowager and Bayan frames Wang Yoo of selling explosives to enemy states of Yuan. Wang Yoo is stripped of his title and dragged to Yuan by the prince and Tanguishi. | |||||
| Episode 44 | April 7, 2014 | 23.9% (3rd) | 27.8% (2nd) | 24.3% (2nd) | 27.2% (1st) |
| Kim Sunju comes right on time to save Wang Yoo and his servants from being executed. The Emperor breaks the promise with Nyang and start to drink again. | |||||
| Episode 45 | April 8, 2014 | 23.5% (2nd) | 28.7% (2nd) | 25.5% (2nd) | 28.7% (1st) |
| The Empress finds out about Maha's secret about his birth by threatening Yon Hwa. Nyang tells the Dowager and Maha that she will reveal all the secrets soon. | |||||
| Episode 46 | April 14, 2014 | 23.9% (2nd) | 28.0% (2nd) | 25.3% (2nd) | 28.3% (1st) |
| Nyang runs to save Maha's life after finding out that he is her real son. Maha's true identity is revealed and he is kicked out of the palace. | |||||
| Episode 47 | April 15, 2014 | 23.8% (2nd) | 28.9% (1st) | 26.1% (2nd) | 28.8% (1st) |
| Wang Yoo visits Maha and decides that he is going to take him to Koyro and tell him everything. The Eagle House wants Yom Byung-soo to go see Bayan. | |||||
| Episode 48 | April 21, 2014 | 22.7% (2nd) | 25.6% (2nd) | 22.9% (2nd) | 24.9% (1st) |
| Nyang keeps the Emperor locked up in her room so that no one will know that he is awake. Bayan is sent to prison for trying to kill Nyang and her son Ayu. | |||||
| Episode 49 | April 22, 2014 | 23.9% (2nd) | 27.2% (2nd) | 26.6% (2nd) | 29.4% (1st) |
| Nyang is sent to the temple to repent for her sins and ask for forgiveness. Wang Yoo sends all the grains he bought to the palace to distribute to the people. | |||||
| Episode 50 | April 28, 2014 | 25.7% (2nd) | 30.6% (1st) | 26.2% (2nd) | 28.7% (1st) |
| Nyang finally becomes the Empress of Yuan and Wang Yoo gains his throne. Nyang is trying to find out about the Eagle House and confiscate their assets. | |||||
| Episode 51 | April 29, 2014 | 28.3% (2nd) | 33.9% (1st) | 28.7% (2nd) | 31.7% (1st) |
| Average | 20.7% | 25.1% | 21.9% | 24.7% | |
Production
The early working title was Hwatu (화투; lit. Battle of Flowers) but the title was changed to prevent confusion with the similarly named playing cards.
The first script reading took place on September 13 and 14 at MBC Dream Centre in Ilsan, South Korea. Each session took about 4 hours. From October 12 to October 23, 2013, filming moved to Hengdian World Studios in Hengdian, China.
Reception
The series attained high ratings during its run, ranking first in its timeslot with a peak viewership rating of 33.9 percent. According to a report by Taiwan's drama channel ETTV, the series was ranked as the best foreign program for 2014 with 5.35% viewership rating, becoming the second Korean drama after Jewel in the Palace (2003) to do so. It also received positive reviews for its strong acting skills, gripping background and elaborate scenes.
Despite its popularity, the series was criticized for its inclusion of fictional elements regarding the characters and storyline. Much concern was raised over the series' depiction of the titular Empress Ki, who was portrayed as a brave warrior in the series. Historians were worried that the audience would overlook the fact that the real-life Empress Ki was responsible for attacking her native land.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | MBC Drama Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | Ha Ji Won | Won |
| Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Special Project Drama | Nominated | |||
| Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama | Joo Jin Mo | Won | ||
| Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Project Drama | Ji Chang Wook | |||
| Writer(s) of the Year | Jang Young Chul Jung Kyung Soon | |||
| Best New Actress | Baek Jin Hee | |||
| 2014 | 50th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best New Actress (TV) | ||
| 9th Seoul International Drama Awards | Best Series Drama | Empress Ki | ||
| Best Actress | Ha Ji Won | Nominated | ||
| 7th Korea Drama Awards | Grand Prize (Daesang) | |||
| Best Drama | Empress Ki | |||
| Best Production Director | Han Hee Lee Sung Joon | |||
| Top Excellence Award, Actor | Ji Chang Wook | |||
| Excellence Award, Actress | Baek Jin Hee | |||
| 3rd APAN Star Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama | Joo Jin Mo | ||
| Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama | Ha Ji Won | |||
| Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama | Ji Chang Wook | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Baek Jin Hee | |||
| Yoon Ah Jung |
Trivia
- This drama took over the timeslot previously occupied by Jung-Yi, The Goddess of Fire and was followed by Triangle May 5, 2014.[3]
- Episode 19 and 20 were originally scheduled to air on December 30 and 31 but were pushed back to the first week of January 2014 due to an award show broadcast and special programming.[3]
- Episode 29 aired at 22:15 KST instead of 22:00 KST because of the broadcast of the Winter Olympics. In addition, Episode 30's air date was changed from February 11, 2014 to February 17, 2014.[3]
Gallery
Official Poster
Video Gallery