Ep 1. Episode 1

Empress Ki is a historical drama series set in the Mongol Empire around the 14th century. The series follows the life of Empress Ki, a woman who rose from a humble background to become one of the most powerful and influential figures in Mongol history. The series is based on the true story of the empress and features a fictionalized account of her life and rise to power.

Episode 1 of Empress Ki begins with a prologue that sets the stage for the series. We see a young girl being sold into slavery by her mother, who is desperate for money. The girl is taken to the Mongol Empire, where she is trained to be a warrior and becomes a skilled fighter.

Flash forward to several years later and we see the now-adult girl, who has taken on the name Ki Seung Nyang, working as a field worker. She is attacked by some bandits who attempt to kill her, but she fights them off with ease. This scene establishes Ki Seung Nyang as a strong and capable woman who is not to be underestimated.

The scene then shifts to the Mongol court, where we see the emperor, Ta Hwan, being heavily influenced by his ministers. Ta Hwan is portrayed as a weak and indecisive ruler who is constantly manipulated by those around him. We also meet the empress, who is scheming and manipulative, constantly vying for more power and influence.

It is at this point that we are introduced to the main plot of the episode - the kidnapping of a young prince from the nearby Goryeo Kingdom. The ministers suggest that the kidnapping is the perfect opportunity for the Mongols to invade Goryeo and expand their empire. Ta Hwan agrees to the plan and orders his troops to prepare for war.

Meanwhile, Ki Seung Nyang is captured by a group of Mongol soldiers and brought to the palace. Here, she impresses the emperor with her beauty and martial skills. Ta Hwan takes a liking to her and decides to keep her as his personal servant, much to the chagrin of the empress.

Throughout the episode, we see Ki Seung Nyang working in the palace and observing the politics and power struggles of the court. She begins to understand the true nature of the Mongol rulers and becomes determined to seek revenge for her own people, who were conquered by the Mongols.

The episode ends with the Mongol army marching towards Goryeo, ready to begin their invasion. Ki Seung Nyang, still incognito, joins the army as a soldier, ready to fight against the empire that has enslaved her people.

Overall, episode 1 of Empress Ki sets up the series nicely, introducing the main characters and plotline while also establishing the historical context of the era. The episode is beautifully shot, with stunning landscapes and detailed sets that transport the viewer to 14th century Mongol Empire. The characters are well-drawn and the performances are excellent, particularly Joo Jin-mo as the weak and ineffectual Ta Hwan and Ha Ji-won as the strong-willed and determined Ki Seung Nyang. The episode is a promising start to what will surely be an epic and engrossing historical drama.