Ha Ji Won may have phenomenal chemistry with every one of her male leads, but some pairings are better than others and I have my favorites. My personal top two are Jo In Sung in What Happened in Bali and Lee Seung Gi in The King 2 Hearts. But her coupling with Joo Jin Mo is fast rocketing up the charts and at 50-episodes of Empress Ki these two have a chance to smoke all the competition. Back in the WHIB days both leads were young and raw and their chemistry was dark and devastating. The royal couple in TK2H bucked all noona-dongsaeng odds and delivered chemistry that worked every which way. Joo Jin Mo and Ha Ji Won feels like two equals, both highly decorated and experienced sageuk veterans. Joo Jin Mo was in Bichunmoo and A Frozen Flower while Ha Ji Won did Damo and Hwang Jin Yi. I was excited about their casting but the result is beyond even my wildest imaginations. They’re perfect together visually and acting-wise there is such grounded maturity. Their characters are also written to fit so well together in how they are fiercely loyal to those around them and fiercely dangerous to those who threaten them. Even their plights are the same right now, with both Wang Yoo sent to be a slave laborer in the Yuan borders whole Seung Nyang goes to the Yuan capital to be a lowly court slave girl. They may forced low but their spirit will never break. The way Ta Hwan plays the fool to stay alive is savvy and far-sighted, but it’s telling that Seung Nyang and Wang Yoo could never do that. They would be dead, but at least they lived true to their strength of character. I’m sure it was a tough shoot for Joo Jin Mo and Ha Ji Won to be tied up to a pole to film episode 7 but their pain is my gain because they look so good smushed together. Watch some delicious MVs belows, and I also discuss a giant clue in re-watching episode 1 that could be a spoiler about a future OTP development.
After forcibly being separated in episode 7, my OTP is meeting again in episode 9! Squeee, except I have a sneaking suspicion this is a dream sequence. *pouts* So the big opening wedding sequence in episode 1 starts off with Seung Nyang getting dressed for her coronation as Queen. She looks very serious and not happy. She sits and picks up two rings hanging on a necklace, it’s a matching set but one is big and the other smaller. She looks it with a poignant smile. I betcha those are Seung Nyang and Wang Yoo’s wedding rings and they privately got married while they were on the run at some point. It’s totally a Seodongyeo redux of how the OTP pledged their troth to each other without approval. It would make Wang Yoo and Seung Nyang’s sacrifice all the more devastating if they have decided together this is the path to saving Goryeo. So they give up their love together so they can save their beloved nation. If I’m right and Seung Nyang is actually the Goryeo Queen before she’s Empress Ki of the Yuan dynasty, then MBC will have done wonders to turn her character into a Korean historical lady figure to fawn over.
The drama has styled Wang Yoo with one high ponytail but in episode 8 he was sent to the war torn borders to serve as a slave laborer. There he donned rags and let his hair down, and I was screaming “let this namja’s hair forever be down!” He and his merry men couldn’t have been hotter looking so raggedy. My favorite supporting characters are all loyal Goryeo men – Choi Moo Sung as Park Bool Hwa, Kwon Oh Jung as Choi Moo Song, Lee Moon Shik as Bang Shin Woo, and Yun Yeon Hyung as Jeom Bak Yi. Awesome foursome to protect and serve wuri future Goryeo King Wang Yoo.
Empress Ki OTP MV:
[youku id=”XNjM1MTk2MDgw.html” w=”650″ h=”450″]
Both these MVs are addicting, but the drama itself is just as good. Join me on this OTP ship! It’s not only fabulous but smooth sailing. Even if she marries a whiny boy Emperor her heart is always with her manly hot King. XD Can you imagine the sparks flying all around the screen when these two start making out and making babies! I’m going to cry buckets when they separate and she goes off to marry the enemy.
Empress Ki Love Triangle MV (first 6 episodes):
[tudou id=”t2L06kJPRBU” w=”650″ h=”450″]
Miss K, how much time do you think the writers will spend on the period after Empress Ki marries (officially)? Half the series? Three quarters?
I say she’s married to JCW by episode 30.
Those rings are her mom and dad’s rings. I bet she is getting married to avenge for her parents
Joo Jin Mo is a fantastic actor and I am so excited that he’s pairing with HJW. I loved him in Frozen Flower and I agree that he and HJW will make it to my #1 list of top OTPs.
I agree with u, me too love JJM-HJW. They look perfect together, n their chemistry seems so real. But they only have a few scene together, n most of all, SN spend a lot of time with TW. Nothing is impossible in korean drama, hopefully the final story will about JJM-HJW.
i think those rings shown in episode 1 are her parents rings. They look very similar to the ones her parents gave her.
Yes they both have such a strong chemisty but still ta hwan&seun young chemistry win my heart.i hate him from betraying her.but the way they look at each other and when they are together..I dunno I really enjoy it.and sorry to say that I feel that this pairing has stronger chemisty and I hope they gonna be the end game
I agree with you completely. The chemistry between SN and TH is great! A lot of us are rooting for them!
i’m soo happy that you’re writing about my fave OTP of Empress Ki.. I really find them suitable with each other to complement this heavy drama. And I do agree they are equal in terms of caliber in acting, experienced, and looks.. nothing is deceiving with this OTP 😀 The smoking hot Jo Jin Mo with the cool and oozing Ha Ji Won.
Oh yes. Joo Jin Mo is. smoking. hot.
yeah joo jin mo is really hot! i hope one from the 50 episodes, they will make king wang yoo topless.. 😀
him and ha ji won, fits so well..thank God the pd of this drama choose joo jin mo to be paired with ha ji won. definitely a good choice! 🙂
This drama already seems to be embroiled in a full-fledged shipping war! Good luck, fans of either couple. 🙂
Koala, I am so excited you are loving this – I just got addicted myself! Who would have thought I’d be meh on Heirs and obsessing over a 50-ep MBC sageuk?
I prefer her with JCW (I can’t help it, they look so good together) but I totally get why you love her with JJM and I am fine with them being the canon OTP. I am actually excited to have a drama where both guys in a love triangle are interesting/cool/have sizeable fanbases rooting for them. It’s such a rarity.
My one fear is that the fact that this seems to be a hit will make them extend the drama, thus sticking it into draggity-drag land (remember Jumong? I love that drama but ooooh boy did it draaaaaaag in the middle).
koala i am so happy you are loving this drama! even if majority of the viewers of this drama is rooting for ta hwan and seung nyang otp..you see the oozing chemistry of wang yoo – seung nyang OTP. JJM and HJW is freakin’awesome in their roles! both are really great actors, the way they act are solid, no wonder they both win baeksang awards and gosh they really have chemistry. i so love them both!
i hope you will still further write about the wang yoo – seung nyang OTP as the drama continues until episode 50.
wang yoo – seung nyang fighting!
Don’t worry, I imagine the harabeojis and halmeonis whose sentiments matter in the ratings game aren’t exactly hanging out in Soompi or DCInside (a veritable cesspool as of late)… 😉
LOL
i have absolutely no clue as to how people are shipping ta hwan and seung nyang… Whereas in answer me 1994 you can clearly see how both ships are equally rootable with the scales tipping back and forth, for me, it is Wang Yoo + Seung Nyang ALL THE WAY. No doubt about it.
Agree, that JJM and HJW has amazing chemistry and their paring sure gives us a strong couple vibe. Leaving us wanting more skinship…lol
HJW is a great actress who always has chemistry with all her actors. Got to love Tk2H! ~sammy
i will definitely join you koala in this awesome and amazing OTP ship! 🙂
I am onboard with our OTP and if I have to go down with it, I will. JJM is smoking hot and I have liked him since I saw QotG. Two awesome actors don’t always mean sizzling chemistry but these two do it so effortlessly…. And both on equal footing… I am just loving every minute of it. HJW is lovely as ever.
While I agree with the others that the rings are probably her parents but, I still love your idea Capt K. I’d totally love it if they did decide together that this would be the way to save their beloved country. However, knowing what I have seen onscreen in these kdramas, it’s always misunderstandings and people acting out on your own without consulting another… So if they actually made a jointed decision together, I’d be so happy. Fighting OTP!!!!!!
Hehe… Shipping wars lol… I think everyone can just ship whoever they want. 🙂 it’s exciting that the stars have aligned again and we are shipping the same couple and the script better not fail us for the 100th time. Mbc do not waste your awesome talents!!
I agree with you koala.I’m shipping HJW and JJM. I love HJW and HB in secret garden.They had the best chemistry but now that I’m watching Empress Ki,I feel there’s something different.They are both outstanding actors and it seem effortless on how they bring the characters to life.No dialogue is needed,just a look and a touch of their hands say it all.Is JJM married?
I’m on this OTP ship!!!!! Yey JJM and HJW!
I can’t watch these at work…Oh patience patience…
I think the folks that think JCW and HJW should be the OTP because they look good together, or because they are cute may be missing what type of person Ki is.
She has been out on her own taking care of others since she was young. She has grown up in extremely perilous circumstances and has vowed to avenge the death of her mother and father. She dragged a man tens of miles behind her despite her own exhaustion and hunger.
Is this the person who values an immature, inexperienced, lazy, pampered man boy? She will never be attracted to someone she has to babysit.
Meanwhile Wang: Strong. Noble. Passionate. Ambitious. Tested. Intelligent.
Plus, they met as equals as males and he loved SY then. Before he found out she was a babe.
I am so glad this is 50 episodes!!
I ship the other way, but darn, you make a good case for HJW/JJM. I am not undecided (oh, if only I found JJM more attractive – shallow, I know!)
Personally, I think she should hook up with JJM and then eventually JCW. Hey, she can marry one and have the other one on the side (ep 1 seems to hint at that :P). Gal’s awesome enough to handle two guys 🙂
I think JCW&HJW shippers fell in love with this duo in the opening scene of ep 1 when JCW told JJM that HJW was not for him and she is everything to JCW and he loves her so much and then tears run down his face. That was swoon-worthy. Why can ‘t she have both?..haha.
There’s more to TH than what many of you commentators expressed. I think both ships are at the moment developing at the right pace. TH & SN are developing more nicely at the time being though.
I still can not wholeheartedly jump on the SN and WY ship because although I can see the attractions, there aren’t many scenes that show their developing romance or love. It’s very small and brief at the moment but that could change in the future. It doesn’t really make much sense for SN to fall for WY that fast, I don’t buy it. I saw scenes of WY liking her when he thought she was a man and etc but there really wasn’t many scenes that show her heart beating for WY. She had mostly ulterior motives and her own agenda when she was with him.
TH: Just like what Koala stated. TH is savvy and intelligent. He knows more than he let on. We don’t know his age but he seems to be younger than SN and is probably acting age appropriate. If he didn’t play the fool, he would had being long dead. I disagree when some stated that they didn’t like TH because of the beginning sequence when he yelled that he loves her and that she means everything to him as petty and weak. If you know the girl you love does not reciprocate at the time being, wouldn’t you also feel insecure and depressed? His reaction is natural. I think TH and SN have the most interesting background story and I anticipate watching TH growing from a young man into a king for his people. TH has room for possible growth.
-Also I think SN and WY are too similar and that TH and SN are more sizzling in my view because of their differences but not to the point where it is a deal breaker. I’m still open to both ships. Let the battlefield of love commence 🙂
Yay! I’m so glad we’re on the same OTP ship on this one koala! Wang Yoo-Seung Nyang, I so love them!
Oh my gawd!! My feels!!!!
I was already in heaven after the first MV (set to TVB’s War and Beauty OST!!!), but the 2nd one?? So epic! It gives me those old Chinese/HK period dramas, and those were my favorite things during my childhood. So now you put Ha Ji Won in it? Sold sold sold! I remember loving those forbidden love story set in ancient times because the stakes were always so organically high. Which is the reason why I loved K2H so so so much, because the love vs duty to your country felt so real there too 🙂
I’m happy to have you on the SN/WY ship, Ms Koala ^^ We shippers from that couple are the minority 🙁
I was wondering if you could give the direct link to those MVs (or at least their titles). I’m trying to save them but I can’t since we can’t right click or get redirected to the streaming site from your blog. Thanks again for sharing!
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/t2L06kJPRBU/
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNjM1MTk2MDgw.html
Glad I’m not the only one who recognised the WAB theme ^^
And totally agree with you, these MVs really remind me of the good old series that made up my childhood. And for obvious reasons, Empress Ki feels like a Chinese drama with saeguek awesome mixed in. Totally addictive.
and thx for the links koala 😀
Oh, we like the TEASER so much, regret it pinned our hearts because the ending may not be favorable with the KING and SEUNGYANG, we’re more of satisfied and happy if the two end together up to the last episode Please, thanks
Dammmmm you OTP. And Koala. For making me enjoy more dramas when I should be focusing on my studies. Sigh. Dramas ruin my life.
I went back to watch Empress Ki (like i said i would) last night and got up to episode 4 without breaks. Had class early the next day so couldn’t catch up to 8 yet but i am doing that as soon as i get home tonight.
I am rather surprised at how entertaining and FUNNY it really is.. not to mention the pacing is perfect for me despite the 50 episodes. Is this the team behind Giant? I imagine Giant was great to watch according to some people even with the 60 episodes(which ended on 40%!).
Perhaps Empress Ki might become a hit if it continues to entertain.
*crosses fingers* please please please stay good. I don’t think i’ve ever finished a 50 episode drama.
Lol! I think I’ve watched too many Kdrama where the female lead almost always end up with a more powerful but least better person… People who ship SN and TH find it boring or so not used to a typical hero/heroine loveline anymore.
I’ve seen the writers’ drama before and revenge is always included to the story. In their drama, the lead always get what he/she deserves in the end and I can see that Empress Ki is not an exception. I’m sure that SN will get her love and revenge up to the last episode. I’m just curious on how are they going to make it happen this time with EK.
I just wanted to THANK you for all the effort and your time, most especially the post regarding Ha Ji Won and Empress Ki. 🙂
So glad you started covering Empress Ki Mskoala! I have been following it from episode 1 and the constumes immediately hooked me in! The drama really has me rolling my eyes for historical accuracy (seriously, the portrayal of the Yuan dynasty could not be less flattering), but otherwise I am loving the story and the character development. Actually, this is one of the few dramas when I actually like the chemistry with both male leads. Joo Jin Mo is smoking hot for sure and he and HJW looks awesome together. Then again, I have always suspected that HJW would have chemistry with a log, being as attractive as she is. This is the first time I have watched JCW, and I love the way he portrays Ta Hwan. I love how he has this conflict of vulnerability and wanting to be a great King all at once. I really hope the drama will give both male leads equal screen time because I love both their interactions with Seung Nyang. HJW just rocks, as always. I pretty much watch everything she is in now and she never disappoints.
Thank you for the nice article! I agreed with you 100%. I am the WY-SY shipper since day 1. As you said, they are two equals, mature and experienced. Although WY has been not given too much screen time, his performance has been excellent. The interaction between WY-SY in the preview of episode 9 was short, but the emotion was deep. The few seconds were so perfect!
thank you.. koala…
thsnks for covering Empress Ki! i checked it out without much expectations and only bec i love
HJW, and i am swooning over this pairing! JJM looks every bit the noble king and he is so.hot.!
Dear Ms Koala, I enjoyed the “let this namja’s hair forever be down!” so much. Joo Jin-mo certainly is handsomer this way.
I was so let down by his look at the coronation and in the earlier episodes. One wanted him to look as great as the Yuan-emperor but instead he looked older, heavier and tired. I despaired that we’d never see the ‘His-Hotness’ look a la ‘Frozen Flower’.
And then they started giving us this, JJM slave labourer style! I’m so happy for JJM now.
Reading your article, I just realized that Ha Ji Won acted with both Jo In Sung and Joo Jin Mo and the men were lovers in A Frozen Flower.
I’m not sure why that’s significant. It just occurred to me because I watched the movie recently and I’ve been finding it very hard to forget about since.