58 minSeason 1 • Episode 51
LatestThe 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.
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.
Acting
Ha Ji-won ages 20 years and owns every second.
Costume
Goryeo hanbok vs Yuan imperial robes — visual warfare.
Production
Massive palace sets and battle scenes, peak 2013 K-drama budget.
Creator
Han Hee
Ha Ji-won
Ki Seung Nyang (Empress Ki)
Ju Jin-mo
Wang Yoo (King Choong Hye of Goryeo)
Ji Chang-wook
Ta Hwan (Emperor Huizong of Yuan)
Jin Yi-han
Tal Tal
Baek Jin-hee
Tanashiri (Empress Tanashiri)
Jeon Kuk-hwan
El Temur
Im Joo-eun
Bayan Khutugh
Lee Won-jong
Dokman
Han Hye-rin
Lady Park
Kim Young-ho
Bayan
Kim Seo-hyung
Budashiri (Empress Dowager)
Yoo In-young
Yeon Bisu
Kim Jeong-hyeon
Tangqishi
Seo Yi-sook
Lady Seo
Lee Jae-yong
Wang Go
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Empress Ki was a Goryeo concubine who became Yuan empress and mother to a Mongol emperor — this drama controversially portrays her as a Korean patriot.
Ha Ji-won performed her own horseback riding and swordfight stunts, training for months; the cross-dressing archer scenes became iconic.
KR
