This review may contain spoilers
A detailed analysis of the main characters' interactions, dynamics and their relationships.
Empress Ki is an unforgettable and truly magnificent historical drama with an amazing cast and mesmerising performances especially from HJW and JCW.
First off, JCW was exceptional in this role. This is one of his best performances (another being The Worst of Evil). He plays complex and three-dimensional characters unbelievably well. I didnt expect the emperor to be such a fascinating character and I was immediately drawn to him when he showed up so fearful and innocent on-screen.
The emperor was a flawed hero but so captivating and a pleasure to watch; he poured every emotion out of the character, the same can be said about the beautiful and strong Nyang.
I didnt know the real story or history of Empress Ki so I watched this out of curiosity and interest. The story pulls you in from the first episode and I enjoyed every episode!
What I loved about this drama was that it wasn't a predictable straightforward love story. The ending and outcome were completely different.
From the opening scene and first episode I was expecting an epic love story between the king (Wang Yoo) and Nyang. I predicted Wang Yoo and Nyang would be the main couple, it was set up like that. It made sense as both were from Goreo and he had saved her once when they were children, so they already had a connection from childhood. Despite knowing they were supposed to be the main couple; as the drama continued, I started to become less enthusiastic and convinced about them than the earlier episodes.
The way I watch a film or drama is by believing or accepting what the story is showing or telling me rather than me guessing, assuming or wanting what will happen, especially with love stories. So if I am to believe that wang yoo is the main lead, then why am I seeing the emperor in almost every shot. He had way more exposure than wang yoo. Every time he came on screen with his charming presence and funny antics he stole the show. Wang Yoo was sent away fighting or out of the main plot most of the time which meant not only was he getting less and less screen time but was also apart from Nyang. He just faded into the background.
I began to doubt if Nyang and wang yoo would end up togther. In a love triangle as tense as this and where the first relationship wasn't well executed and then there were too many scenes with her and the emperor togther, I began to feel an emotional detachment for them as a couple.
I was soon more swayed with the emperor and Nyang pairing because it was based on real life and I generally find these stories more appealing. Then on top the emperor and empress's interactions were so natural and addictive to watch.
I needed to see more of a connection with wang yoo and nyang for me to believe in them, and not for them to be shown through memories or dreams and long distance gazes. Initially, I thought she returned to the emperor only for revenge or would stay with him whilst loving another man. I think perhaps that might have been the original storyline; however in this drama she never went back to Wang Yoo, even after her revenge she didn't return and she never uttered words of love to him. As the drama was reaching it's climax wang yoo was then killed off. He died in the penultimate episode. How can the (supposedly) male lead die with one episode left and the other lead still be remaining, unless it is the emperor she'll be with till the end. I was also expecting her to express her feelings to wang yoo after he died, she cried her eyes out but her tears were only of regret and remorse. She kept saying she'd repay him back (possibly out of guilt) after everything he did for her, but there were no expressions of love or regret she had left him or not returned back to him. I was waiting to hear words with emotion or longing for him - it didn't happen. Then I understood, wang yoo wasn't the one!
The main reasons why the emperor felt like the main lead and Nyang and him felt like the end couple in this drama were:
1. Their many interactions and exchanges were playful and cute in the beginning and then later quite passionate.
2. Her thinking about the emperor (example - after Wang Yoo's proposal) left me perplexed. If she truly loved Wang Yoo then she would have happily accepted his proposal even after thinking over it. She could have hesitated for other reasons (not feeling worthy or good enough perhaps), but her thinking of the emperor at that moment made her acceptance to Wang Yoo's proposal feel like a compromise at the end.
3. Their chemistry on screen was more thrilling to watch and they had much more screen time together.
4. Their story from the beginning till end was well thought out and written compared to Wang Yoo and Nyangs story. As a viewer you could see their journey together, their story felt complete.
5. Their scenes generally had a modern romantic setting and vibe normally against a beautiful background creating a visually alluring mood and presence between them.
As I was getting confused with who the main lead was; in the middle of watching the drama I decided to read the real story of Empress Ki. The emperor was fundamental to the plot of her becoming an empress. I then understood in the drama why there was a shift to the emperor and the focus was on them rather than Wang Yoo and Nyang. I think this is an example where the combination of having a story with characters based on real life and a fictional story (that didn't actually happen) can be distracting and possibly unnecessary because wang yoo didn't exist in that history meaning he is unessential to the plot of Nyang rising to power and becoming empress ki. So, either the story had to follow the fictional love triangle plot or the historical plot.
The drama ultimately followed history, with the man that gave Nyang position and title.
One thing to note, Nyang didnt look at or think of wang yoo in the same way after returning to the palace. She shed tears for him remembering what had happened between them but after her and the emperor were intimate and had their own family the drama showed she had moved on. You could see her reluctantly, yet slowly falling for the emperor, the scenes prior to the hunting episode showed her softening towards him. After Wang yoo and Nyangs exchanges were short and formal and when they formed an alliance it was purely for political reasons. She cared enough to show compassion, but maintained her emotional boundaries.
Even though the emperor loved and was obsessed with Nyang; her decisions alone determined her fate at the end. She chose to go back to the emperor knowing how he felt about her, she chose to get emotionally and physically close to him, she chose to stay with him, she chose to remain loyal to him, she chose Ayu and her new family, she chose to become the empress, she chose to love the emperor (her only confession in the drama) and stayed by his side no matter what and she chose to forgive all his wrongdoings. This proves she was never in conflict with who she should be with or loyal to, Nyang's conflict was with her identity and where she really belonged in the world (her being Goryeon in China).
Identity crisis was a running theme throughout the drama and this was her main struggle in the story. Apart from running back to wang yoo (if she truly loved him), another reason to return to her homeland would have been the palace not accepting her. But, the drama didn't show her as a coward or weak who would abandon those she loved. She was a woman whose love for her family forced her to protect them at whatever cost and to survive the conflicts inside and outside the palace. She was tough, strong, cold, more deadly towards her enemies, yet at the same time loyal, protective, stayed true to her principles, never wavering in any situation. This was how the viewers could sympathise and root for our heroine in the drama, as opposed to her becoming revengeful, heartless or powerhungry.
Except for a few issues or weaknesses; the story/plot was close to perfect. If I were to be really picky then the few issues would be, for example Bayan's appearance and storyline felt repetitive after Tanashiri's death. I found El Temur's death was dragged and didn't need to hear his long speech. Also Maha wasn't well thought out or needed in the story. Nyang returned to the palace for revenge over what happened to her son and friends, but she could still have taken her revenge over what happened to them without the baby plot line. He was killed off anyway before knowing who his parents were, so what was the point of his storyline in the first place. He was only used to create more angst and conflict between the main characters and to keep wang yoo in the love triangle which by this point was getting tedious as it didn't make any difference to the plot; nothing changed between Nyang and wang yoo.
Frankly, there was enough drama going on in the palace to keep the viewers attention. The drama should have kept to the politics, conspiracies, conflicts and backstabbing within the palace and then Nyang overcoming all that turmoil and focused on the relationship between the emperor and her, rebuilding the trust and reconnecting with each other. This would have kept more with the real facts and a better story. Near the end, the drama felt rushed because there were so many problems and events that had to be resolved.
Finally, after all the trials and tribulations; the final episode felt incredibly moving. I felt that this episode answered alot of questions especially concerning Nyang. In this final episode when the emperor is sick but still alive in her arms, she could just have let him die without confessing. The viewers knew he loved her and he showed her how much she meant to him. He just wanted her to know he loved her. She did say earlier she would tell him her true feelings one day or when the time was right and from the smile on his face after hearing her confession, it seemed like he already knew it. I'm guessing in those times, saying the words 'I love you' was a big deal, it wasn't frequently said compared to nowadays and only said when really felt or meant it. Wang Yoo had said the words to Nyang in her dream in the previous episode but she hadn't reciprocated his feelings. In fact, in the final episode there was no mention or thoughts about Wang Yoo, even when Wang Yoo's men and Nyang were talking about Eagle House and Wang Yoo's name came up, Nyang appeared indifferent, there was no reaction upon hearing his name.
Wang Yoo had the advantage of meeting Nyang first (in childhood and then later as adults), he had alot of FIRSTS with her.
So, her love confession to the emperor was particularly poignant and special as this was his FIRST with her and also the viewers FINALLY hear her express her real feelings.
Ultimately, Nyang remained strong and loyal to her principles and to the man she fell in love with and a country she adopted as her own.
The ending was emotional and bittersweet. Ayu's voice in the background with his parents riding away was touching. I just wish I could have seen all three togther.
But, it was a perfect ending to a perfect drama!
First off, JCW was exceptional in this role. This is one of his best performances (another being The Worst of Evil). He plays complex and three-dimensional characters unbelievably well. I didnt expect the emperor to be such a fascinating character and I was immediately drawn to him when he showed up so fearful and innocent on-screen.
The emperor was a flawed hero but so captivating and a pleasure to watch; he poured every emotion out of the character, the same can be said about the beautiful and strong Nyang.
I didnt know the real story or history of Empress Ki so I watched this out of curiosity and interest. The story pulls you in from the first episode and I enjoyed every episode!
What I loved about this drama was that it wasn't a predictable straightforward love story. The ending and outcome were completely different.
From the opening scene and first episode I was expecting an epic love story between the king (Wang Yoo) and Nyang. I predicted Wang Yoo and Nyang would be the main couple, it was set up like that. It made sense as both were from Goreo and he had saved her once when they were children, so they already had a connection from childhood. Despite knowing they were supposed to be the main couple; as the drama continued, I started to become less enthusiastic and convinced about them than the earlier episodes.
The way I watch a film or drama is by believing or accepting what the story is showing or telling me rather than me guessing, assuming or wanting what will happen, especially with love stories. So if I am to believe that wang yoo is the main lead, then why am I seeing the emperor in almost every shot. He had way more exposure than wang yoo. Every time he came on screen with his charming presence and funny antics he stole the show. Wang Yoo was sent away fighting or out of the main plot most of the time which meant not only was he getting less and less screen time but was also apart from Nyang. He just faded into the background.
I began to doubt if Nyang and wang yoo would end up togther. In a love triangle as tense as this and where the first relationship wasn't well executed and then there were too many scenes with her and the emperor togther, I began to feel an emotional detachment for them as a couple.
I was soon more swayed with the emperor and Nyang pairing because it was based on real life and I generally find these stories more appealing. Then on top the emperor and empress's interactions were so natural and addictive to watch.
I needed to see more of a connection with wang yoo and nyang for me to believe in them, and not for them to be shown through memories or dreams and long distance gazes. Initially, I thought she returned to the emperor only for revenge or would stay with him whilst loving another man. I think perhaps that might have been the original storyline; however in this drama she never went back to Wang Yoo, even after her revenge she didn't return and she never uttered words of love to him. As the drama was reaching it's climax wang yoo was then killed off. He died in the penultimate episode. How can the (supposedly) male lead die with one episode left and the other lead still be remaining, unless it is the emperor she'll be with till the end. I was also expecting her to express her feelings to wang yoo after he died, she cried her eyes out but her tears were only of regret and remorse. She kept saying she'd repay him back (possibly out of guilt) after everything he did for her, but there were no expressions of love or regret she had left him or not returned back to him. I was waiting to hear words with emotion or longing for him - it didn't happen. Then I understood, wang yoo wasn't the one!
The main reasons why the emperor felt like the main lead and Nyang and him felt like the end couple in this drama were:
1. Their many interactions and exchanges were playful and cute in the beginning and then later quite passionate.
2. Her thinking about the emperor (example - after Wang Yoo's proposal) left me perplexed. If she truly loved Wang Yoo then she would have happily accepted his proposal even after thinking over it. She could have hesitated for other reasons (not feeling worthy or good enough perhaps), but her thinking of the emperor at that moment made her acceptance to Wang Yoo's proposal feel like a compromise at the end.
3. Their chemistry on screen was more thrilling to watch and they had much more screen time together.
4. Their story from the beginning till end was well thought out and written compared to Wang Yoo and Nyangs story. As a viewer you could see their journey together, their story felt complete.
5. Their scenes generally had a modern romantic setting and vibe normally against a beautiful background creating a visually alluring mood and presence between them.
As I was getting confused with who the main lead was; in the middle of watching the drama I decided to read the real story of Empress Ki. The emperor was fundamental to the plot of her becoming an empress. I then understood in the drama why there was a shift to the emperor and the focus was on them rather than Wang Yoo and Nyang. I think this is an example where the combination of having a story with characters based on real life and a fictional story (that didn't actually happen) can be distracting and possibly unnecessary because wang yoo didn't exist in that history meaning he is unessential to the plot of Nyang rising to power and becoming empress ki. So, either the story had to follow the fictional love triangle plot or the historical plot.
The drama ultimately followed history, with the man that gave Nyang position and title.
One thing to note, Nyang didnt look at or think of wang yoo in the same way after returning to the palace. She shed tears for him remembering what had happened between them but after her and the emperor were intimate and had their own family the drama showed she had moved on. You could see her reluctantly, yet slowly falling for the emperor, the scenes prior to the hunting episode showed her softening towards him. After Wang yoo and Nyangs exchanges were short and formal and when they formed an alliance it was purely for political reasons. She cared enough to show compassion, but maintained her emotional boundaries.
Even though the emperor loved and was obsessed with Nyang; her decisions alone determined her fate at the end. She chose to go back to the emperor knowing how he felt about her, she chose to get emotionally and physically close to him, she chose to stay with him, she chose to remain loyal to him, she chose Ayu and her new family, she chose to become the empress, she chose to love the emperor (her only confession in the drama) and stayed by his side no matter what and she chose to forgive all his wrongdoings. This proves she was never in conflict with who she should be with or loyal to, Nyang's conflict was with her identity and where she really belonged in the world (her being Goryeon in China).
Identity crisis was a running theme throughout the drama and this was her main struggle in the story. Apart from running back to wang yoo (if she truly loved him), another reason to return to her homeland would have been the palace not accepting her. But, the drama didn't show her as a coward or weak who would abandon those she loved. She was a woman whose love for her family forced her to protect them at whatever cost and to survive the conflicts inside and outside the palace. She was tough, strong, cold, more deadly towards her enemies, yet at the same time loyal, protective, stayed true to her principles, never wavering in any situation. This was how the viewers could sympathise and root for our heroine in the drama, as opposed to her becoming revengeful, heartless or powerhungry.
Except for a few issues or weaknesses; the story/plot was close to perfect. If I were to be really picky then the few issues would be, for example Bayan's appearance and storyline felt repetitive after Tanashiri's death. I found El Temur's death was dragged and didn't need to hear his long speech. Also Maha wasn't well thought out or needed in the story. Nyang returned to the palace for revenge over what happened to her son and friends, but she could still have taken her revenge over what happened to them without the baby plot line. He was killed off anyway before knowing who his parents were, so what was the point of his storyline in the first place. He was only used to create more angst and conflict between the main characters and to keep wang yoo in the love triangle which by this point was getting tedious as it didn't make any difference to the plot; nothing changed between Nyang and wang yoo.
Frankly, there was enough drama going on in the palace to keep the viewers attention. The drama should have kept to the politics, conspiracies, conflicts and backstabbing within the palace and then Nyang overcoming all that turmoil and focused on the relationship between the emperor and her, rebuilding the trust and reconnecting with each other. This would have kept more with the real facts and a better story. Near the end, the drama felt rushed because there were so many problems and events that had to be resolved.
Finally, after all the trials and tribulations; the final episode felt incredibly moving. I felt that this episode answered alot of questions especially concerning Nyang. In this final episode when the emperor is sick but still alive in her arms, she could just have let him die without confessing. The viewers knew he loved her and he showed her how much she meant to him. He just wanted her to know he loved her. She did say earlier she would tell him her true feelings one day or when the time was right and from the smile on his face after hearing her confession, it seemed like he already knew it. I'm guessing in those times, saying the words 'I love you' was a big deal, it wasn't frequently said compared to nowadays and only said when really felt or meant it. Wang Yoo had said the words to Nyang in her dream in the previous episode but she hadn't reciprocated his feelings. In fact, in the final episode there was no mention or thoughts about Wang Yoo, even when Wang Yoo's men and Nyang were talking about Eagle House and Wang Yoo's name came up, Nyang appeared indifferent, there was no reaction upon hearing his name.
Wang Yoo had the advantage of meeting Nyang first (in childhood and then later as adults), he had alot of FIRSTS with her.
So, her love confession to the emperor was particularly poignant and special as this was his FIRST with her and also the viewers FINALLY hear her express her real feelings.
Ultimately, Nyang remained strong and loyal to her principles and to the man she fell in love with and a country she adopted as her own.
The ending was emotional and bittersweet. Ayu's voice in the background with his parents riding away was touching. I just wish I could have seen all three togther.
But, it was a perfect ending to a perfect drama!
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