Empress Ki

empress ki kdramaSummary: A marvelous story how a brave Seung Nyang who posed as a man in her country Koryo, later became the Empress of Yuan.

Genre: Period, Political, Melodrama, Romance, Kings & Princes, Gender Bender
Episodes: 50
Stars: Ha Ji Won as Ki Seung Nyang / Empress Ki
Joo Jin Mo as Wang Yoo
Ji Chang Wook as Ta Hwan




Likes: It has a very well written script and packed with interesting characters, plus great cast and direction, beautiful costumes and accessories, great OST and set in a rich Yuan and Koryo era. It’s a huge production, yes! But all the above mentioned are making it another great drama in my list. I thought 50-episode drama is too long but with this much details in the story, it had to be that long. There was not even a single draggy moment, it was just well done!

Favorite characters:
Seung Nyang – I love Seung Nyang! Brave, strong, talented, a femme warrior, defender of the young royals.  No wonder the princes fell for her even when she was still dressed as a man!

Lady Ki and Empress Ki – she was still fighting with sword every now and then, not to forget blinded Tanqishi in that very lady outfit but her strength was her influence! She just basically had everyone falling for her :). Let me count, hm the Emperor, the King of Koryo, even Tanqishi. She got a lot of people on her side which was obviously necessary to survive when you’re in a palace.

Emperor of Yuan – you’ve got to love him and hate him at the same time. He was so annoying when he’s this scared little puppy emperor but when he started to do something and act more emperorly, he was so adorable!

King of Koryo – what can I say, he’s the perfect husband! He’s so  good-looking, intelligent, can do sword-fight and he would even do everything for the woman he loves!

First Regent – he’s the perfect villain. Relaxed, cunning, smart, brave, a hero for another ruler but just got drowned in power. Sad to see him go.

Tanashiri – daughter of the 1st Regent so yes you want her gone because she becomes really dangerous but it’s also sad to see her go.

Empress Dowager – oh this lady is first an ally then she becomes a deadly opponent. All for power!

Tal Tal – forget about the emperor and king of Koryo, I would go for him all the way! His face, his voice his hair, his brain! He’s perfect!

Favorite Scene: though it’s obvious Seung Nyang would end up with the emperor (afterall the drama is called Empress Ki), there’s a scene (and it became my favorite scene) where I thought the 2 are the best couple. When Seung Nyang was assigned to protect the emperor when he was exiled in Koryo, they went for a horse ride on the beach. They raced and before the young emperor could lose, he jumped on Seung Nyang’s horse, riding with her until they fell in to the water. The scene was just so beautiful. I fell in love with the 2 right away. That was a deciding moment who she would ride with until the end.

One more thing I  like about this drama is that our Lady Ki had the 2 men ;). She loved them both and she had them both. No unrequited love here. It would have been such a waste otherwise :). So definitely not a Jun Pyo and Ji Hoo kind.




Dislikes: I said to myself, I have to prepare my heart for the ending but I was just really sad. To be Empress Ki, you have to have everyone (especially the bad) around you. But really no point if they’re all gone! But I think I was more sad that it had to end. Saying goodbye to all those wonderful characters and their (might be cruel) world.

My Rating: 9.5 stars! (10 as highest)

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