The cast of “Empress Ki” after 9 years: Ha Ji Won debuts as a painter, Ji Chang Wook’s dramas can’t pull good ratings, and more
Here’s how the cast of “Empress Ki” is doing after almost a decade since the drama’s release.
Aired in 2013, Empress Ki was a successful historical drama that revived MBC’s ratings at the time. Not only gaining high viewership domestically, Empress Ki was also well-received across Asia.
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An average nationwide rating of nearly 30% after 50 episodes made Empress Ki the historical drama with the highest rating within the period of 2013 – 2014. Up to now, even though almost 10 years have passed, Empress Ki is still one of the most loved period K-dramas.
Ha Ji Won
Known for both her beauty and talent, Ha Ji Won has maintained her position as one of the top Korean actresses for the last two decades. Before Empress Ki, Ha Ji Won starred in many other successful productions of different genres, most notably the romantic drama Secret Garden, where she co-stars Hyun Bin.
Empress Ki is one of the most outstanding dramas of Ha Ji Won’s career
On January 21, 2018, the whole Korea was shocked to hear that actor Jeon Tae Soo (Ha Ji Won’s younger brother) committed suicide after a long time trying to overcome depression. He died when he was only 34 years old – the age that many Korean actors are using to develop their careers. His funeral was held quietly at his own home according to family wishes, limiting media and press .
This is really terrible pain for Ha Ji Won, it makes her want to fall, want to die!
Actress Ha Ji Won cried and passed out in front of her young brother’s photo and coffin. Ha Ji Won is 6 years older than her young brother, the two sisters are very close from family to work. Every time her young brother stumbles or encounters a scandal in 2011, she is by her side to encourage, take care of, and help him regain his spirit and health.
In recent years, Ha Ji Won was probably the most tiring time when facing constant losses. In 2016, the father of the famous actress suddenly died. To Ha Ji Won, her father is an amazing father. Therefore, his departure has left the actress with a huge space.
In January 2018, Ha Ji Won’s only brother committed suicide after long periods of depression. Nearly 1 year, Ha Ji Won had to cry tears to see off the two people she loved the most, making the beauty feel like falling down.
Ha Ji Won is still a sought-after star by directors and producers to this day. However, she has been taking a break from acting since her role in the 2020 family film Pawn. In 2021, Ha Ji Won made her debut as a painter. However, her abstract artworks received mixed reactions from the Korean public, who claim they look like they were drawn by a child.
Ji Chang Wook
Ji Chang Wook in Empress Ki is called the loveliest emperor in the history of K-drama. Although he shot to fame thanks to Smile Again, it was not until he took on the role of Ta Hwan in Empress Ki that he could become a top actor.
Empress Ki brought Ji Chang Wook his breakout role
Ji Chang Wook later left a good impression with his performance in action dramas such as Healer and The K2. However, in recent years, his dramas have continued to fail to earn good ratings, from Suspicious Partner, Melting Me Softly to most recently Backstreet Rookies. Backstreet Rookies even came under controversy over its plot. Therefore, many viewers are hoping Ji Chang Wook will pick better scripts in the future.
Joo Jin Mo
Joo Jin Mo is known to the audience through a series of hit works such as Sad Temptation, Real Fiction, Musa: The Warrior, Look Back in Anger, A Love, A Better Tomorrow, 200 Pounds Beauty, A Frozen Flower, Empress Ki, etc. Besides, Joo Jin Mo is also one of the Kbiz actors who has starred in many hot scenes and is also a rare Korean star who has acted in bed scenes with both male and female actors on the screen, like in the movie Happy End, A Frozen Flower, etc.
Half a year into his marriage, Joo Jin Mo was caught in a shocking scandal. His phone was hacked, revealing indecent conversations with Jang Dong Gun. Accordingly, the actor sent many photos of hot models, beautiful young girls or contestants of beauty contests and made vulgar comments about their appearance. A text message also showed that Joo Jin Mo invited Jang Dong Gun to his house to introduce women to him. Netizens believe that both actors have had illicit relationships many times even though both were married.
After a series of controversies, Joo Jin Mo officially retired .
Baek Jin Hee
Playing the villain in Empress Ki, Baek Jin Hee stole the hearts of viewers as the “evil queen” Tanasili. Perhaps this role’s impact was too great, so following the success of Empress Ki, her latter roles could not draw much attention.
Like Ha Ji Won, Baek Jin Hee also abruptly took a break from acting after playing Lee Ji Woo in the 2018 drama Let’s Eat 3. Perhaps she is waiting for a truly good script to make a comeback.
