Empress Ki Is On Demand In South Korea

Empress Ki's Main Cast

Ji Chang Wook’s latest drama, Empress Ki is still so popular in South Korea months after it ended. Internet-based cable service Olleh TV has announced the top ten dramas and reality shows for 2013-2014 in celebration of the one-year anniversary of the launch of the unlimited over-the-air channel program package.

The top drama for the past one year from July 2013 to June 2014 was Empress Ki. The historical drama (sageuk) aired on MBC from October 2013 to April 2014 for 51 episodes, featuring a Goryeo-born woman (starred by Ha Ji-won) who ascends to power by marrying Emperor Huizong (played by Ji Chang Wook) to become an empress of the Yuan Dynasty.

Following Empress Ki were I Hear Your Voice, Princess Aurora, and You From Another Star. Even though I Hear Your Voice was an 18-episode drama, it was ranked No. 2 in the video-on-demand ranking. Other dramas on the top-ten list included The Heirs, Gu Am Heo Joon, Master’s Sun, I Summon You Gold, Ugly Alert, and Good Doctor.

Olleh TV staff explained that dramas like Empress Ki and You From Another Star were popular among women in their 20s and 30s who are not reluctant to pay for fun programs (where on earth Empress Ki is such a fun program? Unless killing people is funny).

Source: Koreabizwire

Another ranking to understand Empress Ki popularity is through Google ranks. The most searched keywords on Google Korea (google.co.kr) in the first half of 2014.

Overall Ranking

1) Frozen (film)
2) League of Legends (game)
3) Minecraft (game)
4) Kim Yuna (athlete)
5) Sewol Ferry
6) Pororo (cartoon)
7) Empress Ki (drama)
8) Aion (game)
9) Football Day (game)
10) Let It Go (Frozen OST)


The most searched TV production on Google Korea (google.co.kr) in the first half of 2014

TV Production Ranking

1) Empress Ki (drama - MBC)
2) You Who Came From the Stars (drama - SBS)
3) Jeong Do Jeon (drama - KBS)
4) Witch Hunt (variety show - JTBC)
5) Infinite Challenge (variety show - MBC)
6) Wang's Family (drama - KBS)
7) Secret Love Affair (drama - JTBC)
8) Running Man (variety show - SBS)
9) Superman is Back (variety show - KBS)
10) Inspiring Generation (drama - KBS)

source: http://isplus.joins.com/article/575/15181575.html?cloc=

COMMENTS

While we can agree we enjoy watching Empress Ki by some degree, I wouldn’t call the drama is fun. The best part of the drama is Ta Hwan, played by Ji Chang Wook who shows his acting range from timid guy to crazy emperor, from lovesick man to an understanding husband. The drama itself still baffled me at some plots and illogical twists and turns at the second half of the drama. I think what makes Empress Ki so popular is the controversy at historical distortions, great acting from everyone, and generally sageuk genre is popular in South Korea. Moreover Empress Ki is 51 episodes drama and it runs longer than miniseries (16-20 episodes) so it’s understandable the drama receives many attentions and one of the most searched TV programs. The drama’s popularity also benefits the casts. Almost all actors involved in Empress Ki jump straight to other projects. Congratulations to Empress Ki, the staffs, and the actors involved for the drama's success!