Empress Ki

7.3
20131h

Production

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A woman born in Korea navigates her way through love, war, politics and national loyalties to become a powerful empress in China's Yuan dynasty.

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: Empress Ki Korean Dama [2mins. Trailer]

Empress Ki Korean Dama [2mins. Trailer]

Seasons

51 Episodes • Premiered 2013

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 1: The Jackal and the Prince

1. The Jackal and the Prince

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 Yu to lure him into an ambush.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 2: The Timid Prince

2. The Timid Prince

Sungnyang reveals to the Crown Prince that there is a spy among them. Prince Togon is exiled to Koryo.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 3: Protecting the Future Crown Prince

3. Protecting the Future Crown Prince

Sungnyang mistakes the Yuan Prince for a Yuan soldier. For the prince's protection, the Koryo King barricades the prince within the Koryo palace.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 4: In Hot Pursuit

4. In Hot Pursuit

2.0

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 5: Survival in the Forest

5. Survival in the Forest

Sungnyang and Prince Togon continue their way to Kaegyong to find the Koryo King. Meanwhile, El Temur takes Koryo's palace under his command.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 6: Confrontation and a Sad Goodbye

6. Confrontation and a Sad Goodbye

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 7: Separation of Lovers

7. Separation of Lovers

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 8: The Life of a Servant

8. The Life of a Servant

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 9: Meeting the Emperor

9. Meeting the Emperor

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 10: Curious

10. Curious

The Koryo King leads his men to their first victory against the Turks. The Emperor makes Sungnyang a part of his retinue.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 11: Spies in the Palace

11. Spies in the Palace

The Empress orders Sungnyang to feed Lady Pak a powder that will cause her a miscarriage. The Emperor further suspects Nyang of being Sungnyang.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 12: The Brilliant Plan

12. The Brilliant Plan

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 13: Personal Maid

13. Personal Maid

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 14: He Returns

14. He Returns

Wang Yu 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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 15: The Fake Blood Vow

15. The Fake Blood Vow

Wang Yu comes up with a plan to infuriate El Temur, but needs Sungnyang to accomplish it. The Emperor challenges Wang Yu to a soccer match.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 16: The Soluble Vows

16. The Soluble Vows

El Temur tries to find the one who sent the appeal. Wang Yu finds out that Sungnyang was the one to help and decides to not see her again.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 17: Curse Phase 2

17. Curse Phase 2

The Emperor and the Queen Dowager ask Wang Yu 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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 18: Tangqishi's Plan

18. Tangqishi's Plan

The palace fills with rats and begin the curse of the late Khan. The emperor decides to actively search for the Blood Vow.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 19: Fake or Real

19. Fake or Real

Wangyu 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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 20: Removing El Temur

20. Removing El Temur

Wangyu meets with the Dowager and wins her trust. Wangyu asks Nyang if she wants to be his Queen once he goes back to Koryo.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 21: The Truth About Jok Ho

21. The Truth About Jok Ho

WangYu 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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 22: Pregnant Sung Nyang

22. Pregnant Sung Nyang

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 23: Byul or Maha

23. Byul or Maha

Nyang gives birth to a son with a unique dot on his feet. The emperor and Wang yu finds out about Nyang and plans their revenge against the empress.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 24: Preparation for War

24. Preparation for War

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 25: The Imperial Consort

25. The Imperial Consort

Nyang begins the selection process for the consorts as she fights through the obstacles the empress sets up. Wang Yu continues to find who is behind the counterfeit money.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 26: Finally Meeting the Blood Vow

26. Finally Meeting the Blood Vow

Nyang becomes a consort and begins to fight with the empress with the support of other people from Koryo. Wangyu is fighting to stop counterfeit money from entering Liaoyang.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 27: The Jealous Empress

27. The Jealous Empress

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 28: Poisoned Sung Nyang

28. Poisoned Sung Nyang

Nyang begins her plan to take the empress' power away from her. Wangyu meets with Hukso to get Musong back by telling Hukso that he is the husband of El Temur's niece.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 29: The Poisonous Dates

29. The Poisonous Dates

WangYu finds out about Nyang's situation from Tal Tal after they arrest Huksu. Nyang continues her revenge on the Empress.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 30: Abdication Decree

30. Abdication Decree

Nyang and Wangyu finally meet together and go their own ways. Feisu finally completes deciphering the book they found in Huksu's house.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 31: A Win for the Emperor

31. A Win for the Emperor

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 32: Out to Kill

32. Out to Kill

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 Yu and Nyang together for a drink.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 33: The Dramatic Royal Hunt

33. The Dramatic Royal Hunt

Nyang and the Emperor survive the coup but the Emperor is shot by a poison arrow. Wang Yu gets stabbed in the process of helping Nyang run away from the guards.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 34: The Curse

34. The Curse

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 35: Ayushiridara

35. Ayushiridara

After Nyang recovered the talisman and broke the curse, El Temur begins to have nightmares. Wangyu begins to train the bums Wongjin brought as new recruits.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 36: Eagle Group and the Blood Vow

36. Eagle Group and the Blood Vow

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 37: The Downfall

37. The Downfall

Nyang is in the Ice Palace and calls everyone in to start planning to defend the Emperor while Bayan takes the palace. Wangyu complete's his job by opening the gate for Bayan's soldiers to enter.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 38: A New Enemy Rising

38. A New Enemy Rising

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 39: Bayan Hudu

39. Bayan Hudu

Bayan Hudu becomes the new empress and Nyang continues the search for the secret funds. Wang Yu is also searching for the secret funds to help Nyang become the empress.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 40: Finding the Secret Treasure

40. Finding the Secret Treasure

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 41: Sung Nyang's Victory

41. Sung Nyang's Victory

Nyang and Wangyu 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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 42: Economic Downfall

42. Economic Downfall

Wang Yu 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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 43: Worse Times

43. Worse Times

The Dowager and Bayan frames Wang Yu of selling explosives to enemy states of Yuan. Wang Yu is stripped of his title and dragged to Yuan by the prince and Tanguishi.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 44: Where Your Loyalties Lie

44. Where Your Loyalties Lie

Kim Sunju comes right on time to save Wang Yu and his servants from being executed. The Emperor breaks the promise with Nyang and start to drink again.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 45: The Truth About Maha

45. The Truth About Maha

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 46: The Princes' Fate

46. The Princes' Fate

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 47: The Eagle House Leader

47. The Eagle House Leader

Wang Yu 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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 48: The Fake Coup

48. The Fake Coup

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.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 49: The Fall of Tangqishi

49. The Fall of Tangqishi

Nyang is sent to the temple to repent for her sins and ask for forgiveness. Wang Yu sends all the grains he bought to the palace to distribute to the people.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 50: Poisoned

50. Poisoned

Nyang finally becomes the Empress of Yuan and Wang Yu gains his throne. Nyang is trying to find out about the Eagle House and confiscate their assets.

Still image for Empress Ki season 1 episode 51: A Not-So-Happy Ending

51. A Not-So-Happy Ending

The Emperor continues to drink Kolta's poison knowing that Kolta is the head of the Eagle House. The Dowager kills herself in front of Nyang by drinking poison.

Cast

Photo of Ha Ji-won

Ha Ji-won

Ki Seung Nyang (Empress Ki)

Photo of Ju Jin-mo

Ju Jin-mo

Wang Yoo (King Choong Hye of Goryeo)

Photo of Ji Chang-wook

Ji Chang-wook

Ta Hwan (Emperor Huizong of Yuan)

Photo of Jin Yi-han

Jin Yi-han

Tal Tal

Photo of Baek Jin-hee

Baek Jin-hee

Tanashiri (Empress Tanashiri)

Photo of Im Joo-eun

Im Joo-eun

Bayan Khutugh

Photo of Han Hye-rin

Han Hye-rin

Lady Park

Photo of Kim Seo-hyung

Kim Seo-hyung

Budashiri (Empress Dowager)

Photo of Yoo In-young

Yoo In-young

Yeon Bisu

Photo of Seo Yi-sook

Seo Yi-sook

Lady Seo

Photo of Kwon Oh-joong

Kwon Oh-joong

Choi Moo-song

Photo of Jung Woong-in

Jung Woong-in

Yeom Byung-soo

Photo of Choi Moo-seong

Choi Moo-seong

Park Bul-hwa

Photo of Jung Ji-so

Jung Ji-so

Ki Seung Nyang (young)

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Reviews

P

ParkMin

4/10

It started off on a fast pace with big cuts, jumps and gaps. We were thrown right into it with little to no explanation or a breathing room. Sure thing that was attractive enough to hold onto the viewers' attention but that was only for a brief period before the drama hit the brakes at full force yanking the viewers from the realm of existence. Halting its momentum to an irrecoverable state which affected the set up we were given, negatively. Not only the momentum but the story as a whole took a shift for the worse. That shift happened to early to be forgiven, after 7-9 episodes I think? If the writers intent was to write Ta Hwan as an unbearably pathetic whimp then they have achieved an outstanding success! Upon a second look, there were too many males to count who were obsessed with the female lead, this drama was a complicated reverse harem in disguise. Some characters had cool story arcs, while others were just stuck being one-dimensional, making it hard to care about them while the drama kept giving them more screen time. Even worse, most of the characters that died were given a cheap death, even important ones. Anyway, the drama had an enjoyable start despite the chaos but it never managed to recover after slamming the brakes.

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