Actress Ha Ji Won likes a role that's a challenge and Empress Ki was just that. The historical character known for her beauty, brains and political influence appealed to the actress so much that she signed on to play her in 50 episodes of the MBC drama "Empress Ki."
"I was completely taken by her," said Ha Ji Won, who is best known for her portrayal of the body-switching stuntwoman Gil Ra Im in the romantic comedy "Secret Garden."
The real-life Empress Ki did not start life as royalty. The 14th century woman first became a royal concubine then bore the emperor a son that eventually ruled the Yuan dynasty. When she was promoted to first imperial consort, she helped shape the future of the Yuan Dynasty as well as that of her native land. No one is sure what happened to the real Empress, who one day just disappeared.
But "Empress Ki" is not going to be a drama just about politics, said a production company representative. It's also a love story.
"The empress' ardent love story, which has never before been told is beautiful but sad," said a production company representative.
It's not Ha Ji Won's first historical drama.
"I really like historical romances," said Ha at the drama's press conference. "When I starred in my first period piece, 'Damo,' we filmed in very beautiful spots throughout Korea and I was able to enjoy the pleasure of being on set and gazing at the stars at night."
While the drama is inspired by the story of the real-life Empress, a few of the facts were altered including the name of the heroine and the character of the hero, who will be played by actor Joo Jin Mo.
That hero is Wang Yoo, a fictional king. Joo, who played the cruel king in love with the captain of his guard in the film "A Frozen Flower," has not been in a drama for several years. He is also looking forward to the love story aspect of the drama. But it will not be love at first sight.
"At first my hero mistakes Ha's heroine for a boy and then he discovers she is a woman," said Joo.
But that will only slow down the love story.
"Eventually he falls deeply and happily in love with her," said Joo.
As the real-life Empress Ki disappeared, perhaps the character she inspired will ride off into the sunset with her fictional king. Checking out this drama is the only way to find out.
The Empress Ki" begins Oct. 28.
